Continuous High-Throughput Colorimetric Assays for α-Transaminases

Abstract

Transaminases are efficient tools for the stereoselective conversion of prochiral ketones into valuable chiral amines. Notably, the diversity of naturally occurring α-transaminases offers access to a wide range of l- and d-α-amino acids. We describe here two continuous colorimetric assays for the quantification of transamination activities between a keto acid and a standard donor substrate (l- or d-Glutamic acid or cysteine sulfinic acid). These assays are helpful for kinetic studies as well as for high-throughput screening of enzyme collections.