Methods Mol Biol. 2026;3032:47-67. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5257-2_4.

ABSTRACT

Photobiocatalysis, an interdisciplinary frontier integrating chemistry, biology, and catalysis, drives enzymatic catalysis from natural reactions to new-to-nature transformations via protein engineering and photochemistry. This review centers on enzyme classes, covering nine key families: fatty acid photodecarboxylases (FAPs), nicotinamide-dependent reductases, flavin-dependent “ene”-reductases (EREDs), and others like artificial photoenzymes. We detail photoenzymatic development, mechanisms, and protein engineering for reactivity expansion. Despite enzymes’ superior stereocontrol, their reaction scope is narrower than small-molecule catalysts. Future exploration of universal activation mechanisms and AI-assisted engineering will expand photobiocatalysis’ potential for sustainable chiral synthesis and green chemistry.

PMID:42681175 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-5257-2_4