RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 New tyrosinases with a broad spectrum of action against contaminants of emerging concern: Insights from in silico analyses JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2020.07.30.225821 DO 10.1101/2020.07.30.225821 A1 Marcus V. X. Senra A1 Ana Lúcia Fonseca YR 2020 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/07/31/2020.07.30.225821.abstract AB Tyrosinases (EC 1.14.18.1) are type-3 copper metalloenzymes with strong oxidative capacities and low allosteric selectivity to phenolic and non-phenolic aromatic compounds that have been used as biosensors and biocatalysts to mitigate the impacts of environmental contaminants over aquatic ecosystems. However, the widespread use of these polyphenol oxidases is limited by elevated production costs and restricted knowledge on their spectrum of action. Here, six tyrosinase homologs were identified and characterized from the genomes of 4 widespread freshwater ciliates using bioinformatics. Binding energies between 3D models of these homologs and ~1000 contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, illicit drugs, natural toxins, and pesticides were estimated through virtual screening, suggesting their spectrum of action and potential uses in environmental biotechnology might be considerably broader than previously thought. Moreover, considering that many ciliates, including those caring tyrosinase genes within their genomes are fast-growing unicellular microeukaryotes that can be efficiently culturable at large-scales under in vitro conditions, should be regarded as potential low-cost sources for the production of relevant biotechnological molecules.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.