This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including
pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase
activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of
making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some
embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase
activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG
and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant
activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and
using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in
accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical,
agricultural and industrial contexts. In some embodiments, the invention
provides polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways that are useful in the
production of R-2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid (R-MP)
and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R and S,R monatin, and
salts thereof, as well as certain stereoisomers of monatin derivatives,
such as the R,R and S,R configurations, and salts thereof.