Work

Molecular Engineering of Nicotinamide Riboside Kinase and Process Optimization for Efficient Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Production

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) plays vital physiological roles as a vitamin B derivative, with nicotinamide riboside kinase (NRK) serving as a key enzyme for its efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis. In this study, semi-rational design was employed to modify the Hi-NRK enzyme at the molecular level, leading to the identification of a critical mutant, Hi-NRKG8S. This variant exhibited a twofold increase in enzymatic activity and significantly enhanced thermal stability, extending its half-life at 40 °C from 4 to 8 h. By optimizing reaction conditions, NMN yield reached 94.17% at a nicotinamide riboside (NR) substrate concentration of 50 g/L. Further addition of adenylate kinase (ADK) to facilitate ATP recycling increased the yield to 97.24% at 75 g/L NR. This study establishes a foundation for industrial-scale, efficient, and green NMN production.

Source: Foods

DOI: 10.3390/foods15111838

Authors: Dai Ma, Rui Liu, Tong Bao, Jingwen Yang, Hongbin Zhang, Xueqin Hu

Institution: Hefei University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499

Funder: Anhui Provincial Development and Reform Commission