Evolution of new enzyme function in bacteria: lessons from herbicide catabolism

Evolution of new enzyme function in bacteria: lessons from herbicide catabolism

Evolution of new enzyme function in bacteria: lessons from herbicide catabolism (#48)

Colin Scott ¹

CSIRO, Canberra, ACT, Australia

The acquisition of new enzyme function (neofunctionalisation) is driven by changes in selection pressures in the environment, including the introduction of new chemical challenges such as antibiotics and pesticides. Here, I will present insights into the mechanisms and constraints that control neofunctionalisation in enzymes gained from an understanding of the enzymes that comprise the atrazine catabolic pathway from Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. In particular, I will focus on our efforts to understand how sequence\structure\function relationship govern the topography of the evolutionary landscape that dictates which evolutionary trajectories are available for the evolution of novel catalytic functionality.

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Scott, C

Dr Scott was born in Scotland. He obtained a BSc (hon) in Genetics from the University of Wales in 1996 and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Sheffield University (England) in 2000. He moved to CSIRO Entomology in Canberra in 2004 as a post-doctoral fellow, and now leads CSIRO’s Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform. Synthetic biology applies engineering principles to biology. It involves the design and construction of biological systems and devices, based on DNA-encoded componentry, and their application for useful purposes. CSIRO's Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform is positioning Australia to play a role in one of the fastest growing areas of modern science so that we can understand global developments and, where appropriate, contribute to advances in areas including manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, environmental remediation, biosecurity, agriculture and healthcare research. Dr Scott is also the Interim Director of the Advanced Engineering Biology FSP. Engineering Biology (Synthetic Biology at scale) has the potential to unlock a new BioEconomy that delivers 50,000 new jobs and $30 Billion a year to Australia. The Advanced Engineering Biology FSP will provide future technology platforms to Australia that supercharge the speed of new biotechnology delivery through streamlined, molecular design & engineering tools, highly efficient bioproduction systems and data-driven decision-making tools. These new technology platforms will deliver innovative solutions that tackle the emerging national challenges of Food Security, National Health & Wellbeing, and carbon-neutral Future Industries. Dr Scott leads a research team (Biocatalysis and Synthetic Biology team) that investigates, engineers and harnesses the biochemical and metabolic diversity found in nature. Enzymes are nature's nanotechnology: nanoscale machines that carry out all of the chemical reactions needed for life to survive and prosper. Evolution has produced a countless number of these chemical reactions, and as the world continues to evolve, so do the enzymes, responding to the introduction of new molecules with new functions. We can harness these enzymes for applications such as biocatalysis (making chemicals) and bioremediation (cleaning up pollution). The team draws on the amazing versatility of natural enzymes to provide new solutions for a variety of applications. Our team isolates and studies enzymes at an atomic level to understand how they work, we re-engineer them to be suitable for particular applications, and we even use the power of evolution to help us adapt enzymes for use in biocatalysis and bioremediation. Our research provides biocatalytic alternatives for industries decreasing their reliance on petrochemical feedstocks and increasing sustainability through reduction of waste, energy usage and production costs.

Evolution of new enzyme function in bacteria: lessons from herbicide catabolism (#48)

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