Bacterial Lipoxygenases: Versatile Biocatalysts for Fatty Acid Oxyfunctionalization

Summary

The shift to a biobased economy aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by converting biological materials, such as plant- and algae-derived fatty acids, into valuable compounds. Oxyfunctionalization enhances fatty acid reactivity and enables diverse derivatives, with modification sites critically influencing product properties. Lipoxygenases (LOXs), key oxyfunctionalization enzymes, exhibit broad substrate specificity and distinct regioselectivities. While plant and animal LOXs are well-studied, bacterial LOXs remain largely unexplored. This work classifies bacterial LOXs into nine distinct groups based on structure and function and examines their unique oxidative activities, including dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase functions. Strategies such as protein engineering and oxygen level modulation were applied to optimize substrate specificity, regioselectivity, and catalytic performance. These findings provide new insights into bacterial LOXs’ diversity and capabilities, emphasizing their potential for sustainable biotechnological applications in the targeted modification of fatty acids to produce high-value compounds for various industries.