Lab. Life Sci. for Extremophiles

Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) is a method of resurrecting a protein sequence that might be present in an extinct species. The concept has existed since the 1960s, but recent advances in genomic information and cost-effective DNA synthesis have made it a rapidly developing field. ASR has a proven track record in estimating the thermostability and substrate specificity of ancestral proteins and has also enabled the estimation of the history of life on Earth and long-term changes in the biosphere environment. Furthermore, several industrially applicable enzymes have been synthesized using ASR. Recent research in our laboratory has successfully synthesized ancestral enzymes with excellent thermostability, low activation energy, and more useful for catalysis at lower reaction temperatures than extant thermostable enzymes.
　In future works, we will try to comprehensively reconstruct ancestral enzymes from various eras to search for enzymes with optimal activities and properties for industrial use that are not found in existing natural enzymes. If we can demonstrate the usefulness of past enzymes that were possessed by extinct species, then in the future, we will be able to dramatically advance the industrial use of enzymes by applying ancestral sequence reconstruction to a wide range of enzymes and synthesizing many beneficial ancestral enzymes. This can also contribute to carbon neutrality and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).