Modulating the catalytic activity and the substrate specificity of alcohol dehydrogenases using cyclic ethers

Abstract

The catalytic activities of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are investigated in the presence of 5% cyclic ethers. Although most cyclic ethers show an inhibitory effect on ADHs, we found that the catalytic rate constant of 2-butanol oxidation by Thermoanaerobacter brockii ADH was increased from 57 to 190 min⁻¹ by the addition of 1,3-dioxolane, which altered the substrate specificity.