phytase

The first plant phytase was found in 1907 from rice bran{{Cite journal|last1=Suzuki|first1=U.|last2=Yoshimura|first2=K.|last3=Takaishi|first3=M.|date=1907|title=Über ein enzym 'Phytase' das anhydro-oxy-methylen diphosphorsaure' spalter|trans-title=About the enzyme “phytase”, which splits anhydro-oxy-methylene diphosphoric acid|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/14509490.pdf|journal=Bulletin of the College of Agriculture, Tokyo Imperial University|volume=7|pages=502–512}}{{Cite journal|last1=Kumar|first1=V.|last2=Sinha|first2=A. K.|last3=Makkar|first3=H. P. S.|last4=Becker|first4=K.|date=2010-06-15|title=Dietary roles of phytate and phytase in human nutrition: A review|journal=Food Chemistry|volume=120|issue=4|pages=945–959|doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.11.052|issn=0308-8146}} and in 1908 from an animal (calf's liver and blood).{{Cite journal|last1=McCollum|first1=E.V.|last2=Hart|first2=E.B.|date=1908|title=On the occurrence of a phytin-splitting enzyme in animal tissues|url=http://www.jbc.org/content/4/6/497.full.pdf|journal=Journal of Biological Chemistry|volume=4|issue=6|pages=497–500|doi=10.1016/S0021-9258(17)36370-6|doi-access=free}} In 1962 began the first attempt at commercializing phytases for animal feed nutrition enhancing purposes when International Minerals & Chemicals (IMC) studied over 2000 microorganisms to find the most suitable ones for phytase production. This project was launched in part due to concerns about mineable sources for inorganic phosphorus eventually running out (see peak phosphorus), which IMC was supplying for the feed industry at the time. Aspergillus (ficuum) niger fungal strain NRRL 3135 (ATCC 66876) was identified as a promising candidate{{Cite journal|last1=Lei|first1=X. G.|last2=Weaver|first2=J. D.|last3=Mullaney|first3=E.|last4=Ullah|first4=A. H. J.|last5=Azain|first5=M. J.|date=January 2013|title=Phytase, a new life for an "old" enzyme|url=https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/57974/PDF|journal=Annual Review of Animal Biosciences|volume=1|pages=283–309|doi=10.1146/annurev-animal-031412-103717|issn=2165-8110|pmid=25387021|url-access=subscription}} as it was able to produce large amounts of extracellular phytases.{{Cite journal|last1=Konietzny|first1=U.|last2=Greiner|first2=R.|date=2002|title=Molecular and catalytic properties of phytate-degrading enzymes (phytases)|journal=International Journal of Food Science and Technology|language=en|volume=37|issue=7|pages=791–812|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2621.2002.00617.x|issn=0950-5423|doi-access=free}} However, the organism's efficiency was not enough for commercialization so the project ended in 1968 as a failure.

Still, identifying A. niger led in 1984 to a new attempt with A. niger mutants made with the relatively recently invented recombinant DNA technology. This USDA funded project was initiated by Dr. Rudy Wodzinski who formerly participated in the IMC's project. This 1984 project led in 1991 to the first partially cloned phytase gene phyA (from A. niger NRRL 31235){{Cite journal|last1=Mullaney|first1=E. J.|last2=Gibson|first2=D. M.|last3=Ullah|first3=A. H. J.|date=1991-08-01|title=Positive identification of a lambda gt11 clone containing a region of fungal phytase gene by immunoprobe and sequence verification|url=https://pubag.nal.usda.gov/pubag/downloadPDF.xhtml?id=15787&content=PDF|journal=Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology|language=en|volume=35|issue=5|pages=611–614|doi=10.1007/BF00169625|pmid=1369340|s2cid=2796116|issn=0175-7598|url-access=subscription}} and later on in 1993 to the cloning of the full gene and its overexpression in A. niger.{{Cite journal|last1=van Hartingsveldt|first1=W.|last2=van Zeijl|first2=C. M.|last3=Harteveld|first3=G. M.|last4=Gouka|first4=R. J.|last5=Suykerbuyk|first5=M. E.|last6=Luiten|first6=R. G.|last7=van Paridon|first7=P. A.|last8=Selten|first8=G. C.|last9=Veenstra|first9=A. E.|date=1993-05-15|title=Cloning, characterization and overexpression of the phytase-encoding gene (phyA) of Aspergillus niger|journal=Gene|volume=127|issue=1|pages=87–94|doi=10.1016/0378-1119(93)90620-I|issn=0378-1119|pmid=8387447}}

In 1991 BASF began to sell the first commercial phytase produced in A. niger under the trademark Natuphos which was used to increase the nutrient content of animal feed.

In 1999 Escherichia coli bacterial phytases were identified as being more effective than A. niger fungal phytases.{{Cite journal|last1=Rodriguez|first1=E.|last2=Han|first2=Y.|last3=Lei|first3=X. G.|date=1999-04-02|title=Cloning, sequencing, and expression of an Escherichia coli acid phosphatase/phytase gene (appA2) isolated from pig colon|journal=Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications|volume=257|issue=1|pages=117–123|doi=10.1006/bbrc.1999.0361|issn=0006-291X|pmid=10092520|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last1=Rodriguez|first1=E.|last2=Porres|first2=J. M.|last3=Han|first3=Y.|last4=Lei|first4=X. G.|date=May 1999|title=Different Sensitivity of Recombinant Aspergillus niger Phytase (r-PhyA) and Escherichia coli pH 2.5 Acid Phosphatase (r-AppA) to Trypsin and Pepsinin Vitro|journal=Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics|volume=365|issue=2|pages=262–267|doi=10.1006/abbi.1999.1184|pmid=10328821|issn=0003-9861|doi-access=free}} Subsequently, this led to the animal feed use of this new generation of bacterial phytases which were superior to fungal phytases in many aspects.

Four distinct structural classes of phytase have been characterized in the literature: histidine acid phosphatases (HAPS), beta-propeller phytases (BPPs), purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), and most recently, protein tyrosine phosphatase-like phytases (PTP-like phytases).{{cite journal |vauthors=Puhl AA, Gruninger RJ, Greiner R, Janzen TW, Mosimann SC, Selinger LB |year=2007 |title= Kinetic and structural analysis of a bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase-like myo-inositol polyphosphatase |journal= Protein Science |volume=16 |issue=7 |pages=1368–1378 |pmid=17567745 |pmc= 2206706 |doi=10.1110/ps.062738307}}

Most of the known phytases belong to a class of enzyme called histidine acid phosphatases (HAPs). HAPs have been isolated from filamentous fungi, bacteria, yeast, and plants. All members of this class of phytase share a common active site sequence motif (Arg-His-Gly-X-Arg-X-Pro) and have a two-step mechanism that hydrolyzes phytic acid (as well as some other phosphoesters). The phytase from the fungus Aspergillus niger is a HAP and is well known for its high specific activity and its commercially marketed role as an animal feed additive to increase the bioavailability of phosphate from phytic acid in the grain-based diets of poultry and swine.{{cite journal |vauthors=Kim T, Mullaney EJ, Porres JM, Roneker KR, Crowe S, Rice S, Ko T, Ullah AH, Daly CB, Welch R, Lei XG |year=2006 |title= Shifting the pH profile of Aspergillus niger PhyA phytase to match the stomach pH enhances its effectiveness as an animal feed additive |journal= Appl Environ Microbiol |volume=72 |issue=6 |pages=4397–4403 |pmid=16751556 |pmc= 1489644 |doi=10.1128/AEM.02612-05|bibcode=2006ApEnM..72.4397K }} HAPs have also been overexpressed in several transgenic plants as a potential alternative method of phytase production for the animal feed industry{{cite journal |vauthors=Chen R, Xue G, Chen P, Yao B, Yang W, Ma Q, Fan Y, Zhao Z, Tarczynski MC, Shi J |year=2006 |title= Transgenic maize plants expressing a fungal phytase gene |journal= Transgenic Res |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=633–643 |pmid=17932782 |doi=10.1007/s11248-007-9138-3|s2cid=13629219 }} and very recently, the HAP phytase gene from E. coli has been successfully expressed in a transgenic pig.{{cite journal |vauthors=Golovan SP, Meidinger RG, Ajakaiye A, Cottrill M, Wiederkehr MZ, Barney DJ, Plante C, Pollard JW, Fan MZ, Hayes MA, Laursen J, Hjorth JP, Hacker RR, Phillips JP, Forsberg CW |year=2006 |title= Pigs expressing salivary phytase produce low-phosphorus manure |journal= Nat Biotechnol |volume=19 |issue=8 |pages=741–745 |pmid=11479566 |doi=10.1038/90788|s2cid=52853680 }}

{{See also|Beta-propeller phytase}}

β-propeller phytases make up a recently discovered class of phytase. These first examples of this class of enzyme were originally cloned from Bacillus species, but numerous microorganisms have since been identified as producing β-propeller phytases. The three-dimensional structure of β-propeller phytase is similar to a propeller with six blades. Current research suggests that β-propeller phytases are the major phytate-degrading enzymes in water and soil, and may play a major role in phytate-phosphorus cycling.{{cite journal|vauthors=Lim BL, Yeung P, Cheng C, Hill JE|year=2007|title=Distribution and diversity of phytate-mineralizing bacteria|journal=ISME J.|volume=1|issue=4|pages=321–330|doi=10.1038/ismej.2007.40|pmid=18043643|doi-access=free}}

A phytase has recently been isolated from the cotyledons of germinating soybeans that has the active site motif of a purple acid phosphatase (PAP). This class of metalloenzyme has been well studied and searches of genomic databases reveal PAP-like sequences in plants, mammals, fungi, and bacteria. However, only the PAP from soybeans has been found to have any significant phytase activity. The three-dimensional structure, active-site sequence motif and proposed mechanism of catalysis have been determined for PAPs.{{Citation needed|date=August 2014}}

Only a few of the known phytases belong to a superfamily of enzymes called protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTP-like phytases, a relatively newly discovered class of phytase, have been isolated from bacteria that normally inhabit the gut of ruminant animals.{{cite journal |vauthors=Nakashima BA, McAllister TA, Sharma R, Selinger LB |year=2007 |title= Diversity of phytases in the rumen |journal= Microb Ecol |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=82–88 |pmid=17186149 |doi=10.1007/s00248-006-9147-4|s2cid=39253734 }} All characterized PTP-like phytases share an active site sequence motif (His-Cys-(X)5-Arg), a two-step, acid-base mechanism of dephosphorylation, and activity towards phosphrylated tyrosine residues, characteristics that are common to all PTP superfamily enzymes.{{cite journal |vauthors=Puhl AA, Greiner R, Selinger LB |year=2009 |title= Stereospecificity of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate hydrolysis by a protein tyrosine phosphatase-like inositol polyphosphatase from Megasphaera elsdenii |journal= Appl Microbiol Biotechnol |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=95–103 |pmid=18853154 |doi=10.1007/s00253-008-1734-5|s2cid=11333832 }}{{cite book |doi= 10.1016/S0079-6603(03)01006-7 |author= Zhang ZY |year=2003 |title= Mechanistic studies on protein tyrosine phosphatases |journal= Prog. Nucleic Acid Res. Mol. Biol. |volume=73 |pages=171–220 |pmid=12882518 |series= Progress in Nucleic Acid Research and Molecular Biology |isbn= 9780125400732 }} Like many PTP superfamily enzymes, the exact biological substrates and roles of bacterial PTP-like phytases have not yet been clearly identified. The characterized PTP-like phytases from ruminal bacteria share sequence and structural homology with the mammalian PTP-like phosphoinositide/-inositol phosphatase PTEN, and significant sequence homology to the PTP domain of a type III-secreted virulence protein from Pseudomonas syringae (HopPtoD2).

Most phytases show a broad substrate specificity, having the ability to hydrolyze many phosphorylated compounds that are not structurally similar to phytic acid such as ADP, ATP, phenyl phosphate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, glucose 6-phosphate, glycerophosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate. Only a few phytases have been described as highly specific for phytic acid, such as phytases from Bacillus sp., Aspergillus sp., E. coli{{cite journal|vauthors=Konietzny U, Greiner R|year=2002|title=Molecular and catalytic properties of phytate-degrading enzymes (phytases)|journal=Int J Food Sci Technol|volume=37|issue=7|pages=791–812|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2621.2002.00617.x|doi-access=free}} and those phytases belonging to the class of PTP-like phytases.

Phytic acid has six phosphate groups that may be released by phytases at different rates and in different order. Phytases hydrolyze phosphates from phytic acid in a stepwise manner, yielding products that again become substrates for further hydrolysis. Most phytases are able to cleave five of the six phosphate groups from phytic acid. Phytases have been grouped based on the first phosphate position of phytic acid that is hydrolyzed. The Enzyme Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry recognizes three types of phytases based on the position of the first phosphate hydrolyzed, those are 3-phytase ({{EC number|3.1.3.8}}), 4-phytase ({{EC number|3.1.3.26}}), and 5-phytase ({{EC number|3.1.3.72}}). To date, most of the known phytases are 3-phytases or 4-phytases, only a HAP purified from lily pollen{{cite journal | doi = 10.1104/pp.106.4.1489 | vauthors = Barrientos L, Scott JJ, Murthy PP | year = 1994 | title = Specificity of hydrolysis of phytic acid by alkaline phytase from lily pollen | journal = Plant Physiology | volume = 106 | pages = 1489–1495 | pmid = 7846160 | issue=4 | pmc = 159689}} and a PTP-like phytase from Selenomonas ruminantium subsp. lactilytica{{cite journal |vauthors=Puhl A, Greiner R, Selinger LB | year=2008 | title=A protein tyrosine phosphatase-like inositol polyphosphatase from Selenomonas ruminantium subsp. lactilytica has specificity for the 5-phosphate of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate | journal = The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology | volume=40 | pages=2053–2064 | pmid=18358762 | doi=10.1016/j.biocel.2008.02.003 | issue=10}} have been determined to be 5-phytases.

Phytic acid and its metabolites have several important roles in seeds and grains, most notably, phytic acid functions as a phosphorus store, as an energy store, as a source of cations and as a source of myo-inositol (a cell wall precursor). Phytic acid is the principal storage forms of phosphorus in plant seeds and the major source of phosphorus in the grain-based diets used in intensive livestock operations. The organic phosphate found in phytic acid is largely unavailable to the animals that consume it, but the inorganic phosphate that phytases release can be easily absorbed. Ruminant animals can use phytic acid as a source of phosphorus because the bacteria that inhabit their gut are well characterized producers of many types of phytases. However, monogastric animals do not carry bacteria that produce phytase, thus, these animals cannot use phytic acid as a major source of phosphorus and it is excreted in the feces.{{cite book|vauthors=Reddy NR, Sathe SK, Salunkhe DK|title=Advances in Food Research Volume 28|year=1982|chapter=Phytates in legumes and cereals|journal=Adv Food Res|volume=28|pages=1–92|doi=10.1016/s0065-2628(08)60110-x|pmid=6299067|isbn=9780120164288}} However, human—especially vegetarians and vegans due to increased gut microbiome adaptation—can have microbes in their gut that can produce phytase that break down phytic acid.{{Cite journal|last1=Markiewicz|first1=L.h.|last2=Honke|first2=J.|last3=Haros|first3=M.|last4=Świątecka|first4=D.|last5=Wróblewska|first5=B.|date=2013-07-01|title=Diet shapes the ability of human intestinal microbiota to degrade phytate – in vitro studies|journal=Journal of Applied Microbiology|language=en|volume=115|issue=1|pages=247–259|doi=10.1111/jam.12204|pmid=23551617|issn=1365-2672|url=https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/128848/1/.JAM-2013-Markiewicz.pdf|hdl=10261/128848|doi-access=free}}

Phytic acid and its metabolites have several other important roles in Eukaryotic physiological processes. As such, phytases, which hydrolyze phytic acid and its metabolites, also have important roles. Phytic acid and its metabolites have been implicated in DNA repair, clathrin-coated vesicular recycling, control of neurotransmission and cell proliferation.{{cite journal |vauthors=Conway SJ, Miller GJ | year = 2007 | title = Biology-enabling inositol phosphates, phosphatidylinositol phosphates and derivatives | journal = Nat Prod Rep | volume = 24 | issue = 4 | pages = 687–707 | pmid = 17653355 | doi=10.1039/b407701f}}{{cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0028-3908(03)00228-4 |vauthors=Brailoiu E, Miyamoto MD, Dun NJ | year = 2003 | title = Inositol derivatives modulate spontaneous transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. | journal = Neuropharmacology | volume = 45 | pages = 691–701 | pmid = 12941382 | issue=5|s2cid=25423202 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Bunce MW, Bergendahl K, Anderson RA | year = 2006 | title = Nuclear PI(4,5)P(2): a new place for an old signal | journal = Biochim Biophys Acta | volume = 1761 | issue = 5–6 | pages = 560–569 | pmid = 16750654 | doi=10.1016/j.bbalip.2006.03.002}} The exact roles of phytases in the regulation of phytic acid and its metabolites and the resulting role in the physiological processes described above are still largely unknown and the subject of much research.

Phytase has been reported to cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a human exposed while adding the enzyme to cattle feed.{{cite journal |vauthors=Girard M, Cormier Y | year = 2010 | title = Hypersensitivity pneuomonitis | journal = Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology | volume = 10 | pages = 99–103 | pmid = 20093932 | doi=10.1097/ACI.0b013e3283373bb8 | issue=2| s2cid = 39580728 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=van Heemst RC, Sander I, Rooyackers J, etal | year = 2009 | title = Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by occupational exposure to phytase | journal = Eur Respir J | volume = 33 | issue = 6 | pages = 1507–09 | pmid = 19483053 | doi=10.1183/09031936.00035408| doi-access = free }}

Phytase is produced by bacteria found in the gut of ruminant animals (cattle, sheep) making it possible for them to use the phytic acid found in grains as a source of phosphorus.{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0308-8146(02)00417-X| title = Inositol phosphate degradation by the action of phytase enzyme in legume seeds| journal = Food Chemistry| volume = 81| issue = 2| pages = 233| year = 2003| last1 = Frias | first1 = J. | last2 = Doblado | first2 = R. | last3 = Antezana | first3 = J. R. | last4 = Vidal-Valverde | first4 = C. N. | hdl = 10261/131058}} Non-ruminants (monogastric animals) like human beings, dogs, pigs, birds, etc. do not produce phytase. Research in the field of animal nutrition has put forth the idea of supplementing feed with phytase so as to make available to the animal phytate-bound nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, minerals, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins.{{Cite journal|last1=Mesina|first1=Von G. R.|last2=Lagos|first2=L. Vanessa|last3=Sulabo|first3=Rommel C.|last4=Walk|first4=Carrie L.|last5=Stein|first5=Hans H.|date=2019-02-01|title=Effects of microbial phytase on mucin synthesis, gastric protein hydrolysis, and degradation of phytate along the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs|journal=Journal of Animal Science|volume=97|issue=2|pages=756–767|doi=10.1093/jas/sky439|issn=1525-3163|pmc=6358309|pmid=30452657}} In Canada, a genetically modified pig called Enviropig, which has the capability to produce phytase primarily through its salivary glands, was developed and approved for limited production.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/3/100330-bacon-pigs-enviropig-dead-zones/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930103045/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/3/100330-bacon-pigs-enviropig-dead-zones/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2019|title=Gene-Altered "Enviropig" to Reduce Dead Zones?|date=2010-03-30|website=National Geographic News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1038/90788|title = Pigs expressing salivary phytase produce low-phosphorus manure|year = 2001|last1 = Golovan|first1 = Serguei P.|last2 = Meidinger|first2 = Roy G.|last3 = Ajakaiye|first3 = Ayodele|last4 = Cottrill|first4 = Michael|last5 = Wiederkehr|first5 = Miles Z.|last6 = Barney|first6 = David J.|last7 = Plante|first7 = Claire|last8 = Pollard|first8 = John W.|last9 = Fan|first9 = Ming Z.|last10 = Hayes|first10 = M. Anthony|last11 = Laursen|first11 = Jesper|last12 = Hjorth|first12 = J. Peter|last13 = Hacker|first13 = Roger R.|last14 = Phillips|first14 = John P.|last15 = Forsberg|first15 = Cecil W.|journal = Nature Biotechnology|volume = 19|issue = 8|pages = 741–745|pmid = 11479566|s2cid = 52853680}}

Phytase is used as an animal feed supplement – often in poultry and swine – to enhance the nutritive value of plant material by liberation of inorganic phosphate from phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate). Phytase can be purified from transgenic microbes and has been produced recently in transgenic canola, alfalfa and rice plants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249997273|title=Transgenic Plants Expressing Phytase Gene of Microbial Origin and Their Prospective Application as Feed|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}} Phytase has also been produced from cultivated Rhizopus oligosporus.

{{reflist}}

{{Esterases}}

Category:EC 3.1.3

Category:Industrial enzymes