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The promises and challenges of fusion constructs in protein biochemistry and enzymology

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Abstract

Fusion constructs are used to improve the properties of or impart novel functionality to proteins for biotechnological applications. The biochemical characteristics of enzymes or functional proteins optimized by fusion include catalytic efficiency, stability, activity, expression, secretion, and solubility. In this review, we summarize the parameters of enzymes or functional proteins that can be modified by fusion constructs. For each parameter, fusion strategies and molecular partners are examined using examples from recent studies. Future prospects in this field are also discussed. This review is expected to increase interest in and advance fusion strategies for optimization of enzymes and other functional proteins.

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Acknowledgments

This project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 21406089), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (grant number BK20140152, BK20151126), 863 Program (grant number 2014AA021304), the 111 Project (grant number 111-2-06), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, and the Jiangsu province “Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Industrial Fermentation” industry development program.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China

    Haiquan Yang, Long Liu & Fei Xu

  2. Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China

    Haiquan Yang

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  1. Haiquan Yang
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  2. Long Liu
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Correspondence to Haiquan Yang or Fei Xu.

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Yang, H., Liu, L. & Xu, F. The promises and challenges of fusion constructs in protein biochemistry and enzymology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 100, 8273–8281 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7795-y

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