DIRECTED EVOLUTION OF BIOREMEDIAL ENZYMES

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 使用定向进化实验的程序，我们正在不断地生产对非生理有机磷酸盐底物具有磷酸三酯酶或磷酸二酯酶活性的酶的修饰版本。 这些分子构成某些污染的农业或工业土壤中的主要有毒污染物。 这些酶中的一些已经被用作生物修复剂，能够清除需要大量使用农药的农田的污染径流。 我们希望使用X射线晶体学来跟踪这些酶的结构变化，并利用它来了解，在基本水平上，小的结构变化如何产生大的功能效应。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Using a program of directed evolution experiments we are continuously producing modified versions of enzymes with phosphotriesterase or phosphodiesterase activity towards non-physiological organophosphate substrates. These molecules constitute the main toxic contaminants in certain polluted agricultural or industrial soils. Some of these enzymes are already being used as bioremedial agents capable of cleaning up soiled run-off from farm areas where a high level of pesticide use is required. We wish to use x-ray crystallography to follow the structural changes induced into these enzymes and to use this to understand, at a fundamental level, how small structural changes can have large functional effects.