ENGINEERING, EXPRESSION, AND PURIFICATION FAST-PETASE WITH PELB SIGNAL PEPTIDE

Plastic pollution, primarily attributed to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, has evolved into a grave global environmental crisis. Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, a remarkable bacterium capable of efficiently degrading PET, has emerged as a beacon of hope in combatting this issue. This microorganism produces PETase, a key enzyme initiating the breakdown of PET into valuable monomers. Leveraging bioinformatics and computational strategies has yielded significant enhancements in PETase, resulting in remarkable improvements in PET degradation efficiency and stability. Notably, the engineering of FAST-PETase, an exceptionally active PET hydrolase, has demonstrated its potential for industrial-scale plastic recycling. This article outlines the design, expression, and purification of FAST-PETase while introducing a novel PM3 signal peptide for PETase production. These collective endeavors signify substantial progress in the realm of PET plastic degradation, offering sustainable solutions to alleviate the environmental repercussions of plastic waste.