Biopolymers and cell. 2001; 17 (6): 459 - 466

Protein engineering

A. I. Kornelyuk

The main directions of protein engineering — a novel branch of molecular biology and biotechnology, —- are briefly analysed in this review. Protein engineering is based on the achievements of genetic engineering, structural biology and computer technologies. The main goal of protein engineering is a directed alteration of 3D protein structure with the aim of acquisition of novel properties or change of existing properties; or protein design de novo. Protein design is carried out on the level of 3D protein structure using the computer modelling methods. The site-directed mutagenesis method and its applications in protein engineering for structural and functional analysis of proteins is considered. The results of structural and functional investigations of bacterial and mammalian tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases by protein engineering are presented. Protein design of artificial proteins de novo is described. The perspectives of develop¬ment of protein engineering and its application in biotechnology and medicine are given in the review.