Asymmetric assembly of high-value α-functionalized organic acids using a biocatalytic chiral-group-resetting process

Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 19;9(1):3818. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06241-x.

Abstract

The preparation of α-functionalized organic acids can be greatly simplified by adopting a protocol involving the catalytic assembly of achiral building blocks. However, the enzymatic assembly of small amino acids and aldehydes to form numerous α-functionalized organic acids is highly desired and remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report an artificially designed chiral-group-resetting biocatalytic process, which uses simple achiral glycine and aldehydes to synthesize stereodefined α-functionalized organic acids. This cascade biocatalysis comprises a basic module and three different extender modules and operates in a modular assembly manner. The engineered Escherichia coli catalysts, which contained different module(s), provide access to α-keto acids, α-hydroxy acids, and α-amino acids with excellent conversion and enantioselectivities. Therefore, this biocatalytic process provides an attractive strategy for the conversion of low-cost achiral starting materials to high-value α-functionalized organic acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Biocatalysis*
  • Biotransformation
  • Carboxylic Acids / chemistry*
  • Carboxylic Acids / metabolism*
  • Corynebacterium glutamicum / enzymology
  • Glycine / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Threonine Dehydratase

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Threonine Dehydratase
  • Glycine