Chemoenzymatic synthesis of small molecule human therapeutics

Curr Pharm Des. 2009;15(2):134-52. doi: 10.2174/138161209787002924.

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals have historically been produced by either chemical synthesis or whole cell fermentation. The former is applied to synthetic small molecules while the latter to natural products. As a result of recent advances in rapid discovery of enzymes through genome mining and metagenomics, and their tunability in functions and stability through directed evolution, biocatalysis is emerging to be a transformational technology for drug discovery and production. Enzymes can catalyze reactions otherwise challenging by chemical approaches. Furthermore, enzymatic catalysis is a powerful tool for green chemistry development. This manuscript gives a brief overview of current status in integrating chemical and biological transformations for the synthesis of small molecular therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antidepressive Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Biocatalysis*
  • Biopharmaceutics
  • Biotechnology
  • Drug Design*
  • Enzymes*
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemical synthesis*
  • Protein Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzymes
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations