Martini_2019_N.Biotechnol_53_65

Metagenomics is a modern approach to discovery of new enzymes with novel properties. This article reports the structure of a new lipase, belonging to family I.1, obtained by means of metagenomics. Its structure presents a fold typical of alpha/beta hydrolases, with the lid in closed conformation. The protein was previously shown to present high thermostability and to be stable in aqueous solutions of polar organic solvents at high concentrations [30% (V/V)]. Molecular dynamics studies showed that the protein maintains its structure well in organic solvents. They also suggested that its thermostability might be enhanced if it were mutated to present a disulfide bond similar to that typically found in lipase family I.2. These findings identify this lipase as a good candidate for further improvement through protein engineering.