Abstract

Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase B (RpiB) was first identified in the pentose phosphate pathway responsible for the inter-conversion of ribose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate. Though there are seldom key enzymes in central carbon metabolic system developed as useful biocatalysts, RpiB with the advantages of wide substrate scope and high stereoselectivity has become a potential biotechnological tool to fulfill the demand of rare sugars currently. In this review, the pivotal roles of RpiB in carbon metabolism are summarized, and their sequence identity and structural similarity are discussed. Substrate binding and catalytic mechanisms are illustrated to provide solid foundations for enzyme engineering. Interesting differences in origin, physiological function, structure, and catalytic mechanism between RpiB and ribose-5-phosphate isomerase A are introduced. Moreover, enzyme engineering efforts for rare sugar production are stressed, and prospects of future development are concluded briefly in the viewpoint of biocatalysis. Aided by the progresses of structural and computational biology, the application of RpiB will be promoted greatly in the preparation of valuable molecules.

Key points

• Detailed illustration of RpiB’s vital function in central carbon metabolism.

• Potential of RpiB in sequence, substrate scope, and mechanism for application.

• Enzyme engineering efforts to promote RpiB in the preparation of rare sugars.

中文翻译：

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从中央碳代谢酶到有希望的糖生物催化剂工程改造5磷酸核糖异构酶B

摘要

首先在戊糖磷酸途径中鉴定了5磷酸核糖异构酶B（RpiB），该途径负责5磷酸核糖和5磷酸核糖的相互转化。尽管在中央碳代谢系统中很少有关键酶被开发为有用的生物催化剂，但具有广泛的底物范围和高的立体选择性的优点的RpiB已成为满足目前稀有糖需求的潜在生物技术工具。本文综述了RpiB在碳代谢中的关键作用，并讨论了其序列同一性和结构相似性。说明了底物结合和催化机理，为酶工程提供了坚实的基础。起源，生理功能，结构，介绍了RpiB与5-磷酸核糖异构酶A之间的催化机理。此外，强调了用于稀有糖生产的酶工程方面的努力，并且从生物催化的观点简要总结了未来的发展前景。随着结构生物学和计算生物学的发展，RpiB的应用将在有价值的分子制备中得到极大的促进。

关键点

•RpiB在中央碳代谢中的重要功能的详细说明。

•RpiB的潜力，序列，底物范围和应用机制。

•酶工程学努力在稀有糖的制备中促进RpiB。