Application of AlkBGT and AlkL from Pseudomonas putida GPo1 for Selective Alkyl Ester ω-Oxyfunctionalization in Escherichia coli

What is it about?

Oxidation of esterified fatty acids at the terminal carbon atom, which could yield valuable building blocks for plastics and other applications. We did this with whole cells of Escherichia coli, expressing proteins from Pseudomonas putida GPo1.

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Why is it important?

This work shows that also esters with a longer alkyl chain can be oxidized at the terminal carbon atom, by monooxygenase AlkB. This expands the list of compounds that can be oxidized by AlkB.