Cloning, expression and purification of the enzyme epoxide hydrolase from Trichoderma reesei

• Grant number: 13/19136-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Enzymology
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Santiago Chambergo Alcalde
• Grantee: Mariana Ignácio
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Several complex chemical compounds are being accumulated in the environment, therefore contaminating it and putting human health and life on the planet in danger. In Nature various microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) have developed a metabolic capability to degrade and utilize such compounds (monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as a source of carbon, nitrogen or energy. Filamentous fungi have been recognized by their vast metabolic versatility. However, little is known about metabolic pathways that utilize those compounds in these microorganisms. This project aims to identify and characterize, at the molecular level, a gene encoding epoxide hydrolase enzyme, which is involved in metabolic pathways of PAHs in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei, in order to determine its potential use as an agent of bioremediation of contaminated areas. (AU)