Advances in photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system

• Published in: Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing 2021-07, Vol.1 (3), p.245-256
• Main Authors: Bai, Yunxiu, Wang, Licheng, Ge, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Food Microbiology; Life Sciences; Metabolomics; Microbiology; Review
• ISSN: 2662-7655; 2662-7663
• DOI: 10.1007/s43393-021-00022-2

Photosynthesis, as an efficient pathway for solar energy capture and utilization, has supported aerobionts for billions of years. The imitation of photosynthesis to construct artificial photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system has become a powerful means to solve energy and environmental problems. After years of in-depth research on this coupled system, through ingenious and rational design, the synergistic effect of photo- and enzymatic catalyses has played a significant role in many different fields, including solar-driven fuel production, chiral chemical synthesis and carbon dioxide fixation. Furthermore, light in enzymatic catalysis could also endow enzyme new possibilities. Photo-induced radical cofactor could bring catalytic promiscuity to enzymes, making them catalyze reactions that natural enzymes cannot. This review summarizes the advances in photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system and introduces its essential components, their integration and application. The possibilities presented by photo-induced catalytic promiscuity and its significance for expanding the toolbox of enzymes are also discussed.