Selection of a Catalytically Active Enzyme In Vivo Via Phage Display of its Product

We have developed a general strategy for the selection of genes that encode active enzymes. In our strategy, the product of a catalytic reaction in vivo is displayed on secreted phage via the g8p protein. The subsequent affinity-capture of the product in vitro results in enrichment of the gene that encodes an active enzyme. In a model study, we succeeded in the selection of a gene for biotin protein ligase.