A Comprehensive Overview of Novel Hydroxynitrile Lyases

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) are a heterogeneous family of enzymes that are of particular interest because of their structurally unique categories, a wide range of immobilisation techniques and procedures, and a wide range of sources with varying degrees of enantiopurity and enantioselectivity. Cupin, which contains a new type of HNL from bacteria, the lipocalin superfamily, which has HNLs from millipedes, and the + barrel fold superfamily, which contains HNL from a fern, have all been discovered in recent decades. Their biochemistry has been deciphered, and engineering efforts have been made to boost their productivity, purity, and activity. These remarkable enzymes opened up a new vista in the field of industrial catalysts since they are actively used in the synthesis of crucially important agrochemicals, medicines, physiologically active substances, and chemo-enzymatic follow-up procedures. This review focuses on recent advances, evolutionary history, and recombinant engineering of HNL from the previous decade.