Isolation, preparation and utilization of novel glycoside hydrolases

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There is an increasing interest in using defined oligosaccharides, which comprise short chains of different sugar molecules such as glucose and mannose, for a variety of purposes, including therapeutics. Although chemical methods for their synthesis are being improved, the use of enzymes for this purpose offers significant advantages. A class of enzymes called retaining glycoside hydrolases normally break down oligosaccharides, releasing the component sugars. Appropriately altered forms of the enzymes, mutants called glycosynthases, can be used effectively to form rather than break down oligosaccharides. This project focuses on expanding the range of oligosaccharides that can be synthesized with glycosynthases. Both new and previously identified glycoside hydrolases with novel properties will be converted to glycosynthases and used to synthesize specific oligosccharides with desirable properties. Methods for enhancing the utility and effectiveness of the enzymes will be developed.