Understanding how enzymes select amino acids in natural product biosynthesis
Official title: The origins of amino acid selectivity in the homologation pathway
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-10729967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how certain enzymes choose specific building blocks called amino acids to create natural products, and it's designed for anyone interested in how these enzymes work and how we might change them to use different amino acids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $424,231 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM151721-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10729967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in biotechnological applications of amino acid biosynthesis or those with conditions that could be treated with novel natural products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to amino acid metabolism or natural product biosynthesis may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which specific enzymes select amino acids during the biosynthesis of natural products. It focuses on a pathway involving four enzymes, including one known and three novel ones, that catalyze the insertion of a methylene group into amino acid side chains. The project aims to determine the origins of substrate specificity for the amino acids L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine, and to modify these enzymes to expand their substrate range. By using biochemical characterization and structural analysis, the researchers hope to enhance our understanding of enzyme function and specificity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to advancements in biotechnology and the development of new natural products with therapeutic potential.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding enzyme specificity and modifying enzyme functions, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mori, Shogo — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Mori, Shogo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.