Project description
Sustainable cyclopropane synthases using mycobacterial enzymes
Many chemicals, fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and natural products require cyclopropane rings, a crucial structural motif in their synthesis. Unfortunately, current manufacturing methods for cyclopropane-containing molecules are often unsafe and unsustainable. Existing alternative approaches are limited because they rely on repurposed or artificial haem enzymes, which require stoichiometric amounts of hazardous diazo-compound reagents as co-substrates. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MyCyclop project will characterise and develop mycolic-acid cyclopropane synthases. This is a cyclopropane synthase enzyme found in mycobacteria and could offer a sustainable and efficient alternative to current cyclopropane-containing molecule manufacture. These insights are expected to open up new possibilities for biocatalyst development.
Objective
"Cyclopropane rings are a key structural motif that may be found in a wide range of natural products, chemicals, fragrances and pharmaceuticals. Current methods for the manufacturing of cyclopropane-containing molecules show significant limitations in terms of safety, environmental impact and green metrics. Only a few biocatalytic methodologies for the asymmetric synthesis of cyclopropanes have been developed so far, and they rely on repurposed or artificial heme enzymes (P450, myoglobin). However, these approaches suffer from significant limitations in terms of ""green chemistry"" and industrial application since they require stoichiometric amounts of hazardous diazo-compound reagents as co-substrates. Overcoming these limitations is a critical challenge that underscores the need for further research and development in 'green chemistry' and industrial application of biocatalysis. Mycolic Acid Cyclopropane Synthases (MACSs) are pivotal cyclopropane synthase enzymes found in mycobacteria, such as M. tuberculosis. They are a group of homologous enzymes in the mycolic acid biosynthesis pathway, and they are crucial in catalysing the cyclopropanation of double bonds. Since MACSs use S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methylene donor rather than diazo-carbene co-substrates, they present a viable option for creating mild and sustainable cyclopropanation biocatalysts. Furthermore, with their ability to catalytic cyclopropanate short- to long-chain unsaturated fatty acids and their ease of bioengineering, these enzymes present a novel and exciting opportunity for future biocatalyst development. This project focuses on the characterization and development of MACSs as cyclopropanating biocatalysts through enzyme engineering approaches."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine pneumology tuberculosis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.