Peptide Models for Nitrile Hydratases

Richard Holz

rholz@mines.edu

PtNHase is a protein that falls under the Nitrile Hydratases group. These proteins catalyze the reaction of turning a nitrile (R-C≡N) into an amide (R-C-NH2). This reaction is used in multiple industries such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, feedstocks, etc. Currently, industries use harsh conditions to conduct the reaction which makes this reaction costly and inefficient. It is possible to use the protein instead of these conditions but it requires mass harvesting and purifying process, which is also costly and inefficient. This project aims to develop a working peptide model that can catalyze this reaction. This peptide model is a chain of amino acids based on the amino acids present in the enzyme's active site. The current peptide model is only 9 amino acids long compared to the 600 amino acids long enzyme. This means this model will be easier to produce and higher yields are possible. If this peptide model works it can make this reaction cheaper and more efficient.

Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.

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Richard Holz, PI rholz@mines.edu Callie Miller, Chemistry doctoral Student, cgmiller@mines.edu