1
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Petrone DA, Maturano J, Herbort J, Plasek EE, Vivaldo-Nikitovic JM, Sarlah D. Asymmetric Synthesis of β,β-Disubstituted Alanines via a Sequential C(sp 2)-C(sp 3) Cross-Coupling-Hydrogenation Strategy. Org Lett 2024; 26:6284-6289. [PMID: 38991136 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c02376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
We report the development of a sequential C(sp2)-C(sp3) Suzuki cross-coupling-asymmetric hydrogenation strategy which allows access to a diverse array of valuable β,β-disubstituted alanine derivatives. This synthesis exhibits broad functional group tolerance, and permits efficient access to β-aryl-β-alkyl, and the more rarely reported β,β-dialkyl Ala derivatives with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity. This transformation has been exhibited on decagram quantity, and can be used to generate Fmoc amino acid derivatives which are useful for SPPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Petrone
- Department of Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., MRL, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Jonathan Maturano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - James Herbort
- Department of Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., MRL, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Erin E Plasek
- Department of Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., MRL, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - J Mayeli Vivaldo-Nikitovic
- Department of Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., MRL, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - David Sarlah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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2
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Zeng T, Jin Z, Zheng S, Yu T, Wu R. Developing BioNavi for Hybrid Retrosynthesis Planning. JACS AU 2024; 4:2492-2502. [PMID: 39055138 PMCID: PMC11267531 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Illuminating synthetic pathways is essential for producing valuable chemicals, such as bioactive molecules. Chemical and biological syntheses are crucial, and their integration often leads to more efficient and sustainable pathways. Despite the rapid development of retrosynthesis models, few of them consider both chemical and biological syntheses, hindering the pathway design for high-value chemicals. Here, we propose BioNavi by innovating multitask learning and reaction templates into the deep learning-driven model to design hybrid synthesis pathways in a more interpretable manner. BioNavi outperforms existing approaches on different data sets, achieving a 75% hit rate in replicating reported biosynthetic pathways and displaying superior ability in designing hybrid synthesis pathways. Additional case studies further illustrate the potential application of BioNavi in a de novo pathway design. The enhanced web server (http://biopathnavi.qmclab.com/bionavi/) simplifies input operations and implements step-by-step exploration according to user experience. We show that BioNavi is a handy navigator for designing synthetic pathways for various chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zeng
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen
University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhehao Jin
- Center
for Synthetic Biochemistry, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering
Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
(CAS), Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Shuangjia Zheng
- Global
Institute of Future Technology, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Tao Yu
- Center
for Synthetic Biochemistry, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering
Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
(CAS), Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen
University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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3
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Hong F, Aldhous TP, Kemmitt PD, Bower JF. A directed enolization strategy enables by-product-free construction of contiguous stereocentres en route to complex amino acids. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1125-1132. [PMID: 38565976 PMCID: PMC11230901 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01473-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Homochiral α-amino acids are widely used in pharmaceutical design as key subunits in chiral catalyst synthesis or as building blocks in synthetic biology. Many synthetic methods have been developed to access rare or unnatural variants by controlling the installation of the α-stereocentre. By contrast, and despite their importance, α-amino acids possessing β-stereocentres are much harder to synthesize. Here we demonstrate an iridium-catalysed protocol that allows the direct upconversion of simple alkenes and glycine derivatives to give β-substituted α-amino acids with exceptional levels of regio- and stereocontrol. Our method exploits the native directing ability of a glycine-derived N-H unit to facilitate Ir-catalysed enolization of the adjacent carbonyl. The resulting stereodefined enolate cross-couples with a styrene or α-olefin to install two contiguous stereocentres. The process offers very high levels of regio- and stereocontrol and occurs with complete atom economy. In broader terms, our reaction design offers a unique directing-group-controlled strategy for the direct stereocontrolled α-alkylation of carbonyl compounds, and provides a powerful approach for the synthesis of challenging contiguous stereocentres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Timothy P Aldhous
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Paul D Kemmitt
- Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - John F Bower
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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4
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Dunham NP, Winston MS, Ray R, Eberle CM, Newman JA, Gao Q, Cao Y, Barrientos RC, Ji Y, Reibarkh MY, Silverman SM. Transaminase-Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Branched Noncanonical Amino Acids Driven by a Lysine Amine Donor. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:16306-16313. [PMID: 38804633 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Transaminases are choice biocatalysts for the synthesis of chiral primary amines, including amino acids bearing contiguous stereocenters. In this study, we employ lysine as a "smart" amine donor in transaminase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution reactions to access β-branched noncanonical arylalanines. Our mechanistic investigation demonstrates that, upon transamination, the lysine-derived ketone byproduct readily cyclizes to a six-membered imine, driving the equilibrium in the desired direction and thus alleviating the need to load superstoichiometric quantities of the amine donor or deploy a multienzyme cascade. Lysine also shows good overall compatibility with a panel of wild-type transaminases, a promising hint of its application as a smart donor more broadly. Indeed, by this approach, we furnished a broad scope of β-branched arylalanines, including some bearing hitherto intractable cyclopropyl and isopropyl substituents, with high yields and excellent selectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah P Dunham
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Matthew S Winston
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Ritwika Ray
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Claire M Eberle
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Justin A Newman
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Qi Gao
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Yang Cao
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Rodell C Barrientos
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Yining Ji
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Mikhail Y Reibarkh
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Steven M Silverman
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
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5
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Wang TC, Mai BK, Zhang Z, Bo Z, Li J, Liu P, Yang Y. Stereoselective amino acid synthesis by photobiocatalytic oxidative coupling. Nature 2024; 629:98-104. [PMID: 38693411 PMCID: PMC11299865 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07284-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Photobiocatalysis-where light is used to expand the reactivity of an enzyme-has recently emerged as a powerful strategy to develop chemistries that are new to nature. These systems have shown potential in asymmetric radical reactions that have long eluded small-molecule catalysts1. So far, unnatural photobiocatalytic reactions are limited to overall reductive and redox-neutral processes2-9. Here we report photobiocatalytic asymmetric sp3-sp3 oxidative cross-coupling between organoboron reagents and amino acids. This reaction requires the cooperative use of engineered pyridoxal biocatalysts, photoredox catalysts and an oxidizing agent. We repurpose a family of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes, threonine aldolases10-12, for the α-C-H functionalization of glycine and α-branched amino acid substrates by a radical mechanism, giving rise to a range of α-tri- and tetrasubstituted non-canonical amino acids 13-15 possessing up to two contiguous stereocentres. Directed evolution of pyridoxal radical enzymes allowed primary and secondary radical precursors, including benzyl, allyl and alkylboron reagents, to be coupled in an enantio- and diastereocontrolled fashion. Cooperative photoredox-pyridoxal biocatalysis provides a platform for sp3-sp3 oxidative coupling16, permitting the stereoselective, intermolecular free-radical transformations that are unknown to chemistry or biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Ci Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Binh Khanh Mai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyu Bo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jiedong Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BMSE) Program, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
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6
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Chao TH, Wu X, Renata H. One-pot chemoenzymatic syntheses of non-canonical amino acids. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 51:kuae005. [PMID: 38271597 PMCID: PMC10853765 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Despite their prevalent use in drug discovery and protein biochemistry, non-canonical amino acids are still challenging to synthesize through purely chemical means. In recent years, biocatalysis has emerged as a transformative paradigm for small-molecule synthesis. One strategy to further empower biocatalysis is to use it in combination with modern chemical reactions and take advantage of the strengths of each method to enable access to challenging structural motifs that were previously unattainable using each method alone. In this Mini-Review, we highlight several recent case studies that feature the synergistic use of chemical and enzymatic transformations in one pot to synthesize novel non-canonical amino acids. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY This Mini-Review highlights several recent case studies that feature the synergistic use of chemical and enzymatic transformations in one pot to synthesize novel non-canonical amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Han Chao
- Department of Chemistry, BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Xiangyu Wu
- Department of Chemistry, BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Hans Renata
- Department of Chemistry, BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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7
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Zmich A, Perkins LJ, Bingman C, Acheson JF, Buller AR. Multiplexed Assessment of Promiscuous Non-Canonical Amino Acid Synthase Activity in a Pyridoxal Phosphate-Dependent Protein Family. ACS Catal 2023; 13:11644-11655. [PMID: 37720819 PMCID: PMC10501158 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes afford access to a variety of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs), which are premier buildings blocks for the construction of complex bioactive molecules. The vinylglycine ketimine (VGK) subfamily of PLP-dependent enzymes plays a critical role in sulfur metabolism and is home to a growing set of secondary metabolic enzymes that synthesize γ-substituted ncAAs. Identification of VGK enzymes for biocatalysis faces a distinct challenge because the subfamily contains both desirable synthases as well as lyases that break down ncAAs. Some enzymes have both activities, which may contribute to pervasive mis-annotation. To navigate this complex functional landscape, we used a substrate multiplexed screening approach to rapidly measure the substrate promiscuity of 40 homologs in the VGK subfamily. We found that enzymes involved in transsulfuration are less likely to have promiscuous activities and often possess undesirable lyase activity. Enzymes from direct sulfuration and secondary metabolism generally had a high degree of substrate promiscuity. From this cohort, we identified an exemplary γ-synthase from Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis (CahyGS). This enzyme is thermostable and has high expression (~400 mg protein per L culture), enabling preparative scale synthesis of thioether containing ncAAs. When assayed with l-allylglycine, CahyGS catalyzes a stereoselective γ-addition reaction to afford access to a unique set of γ-methyl branched ncAAs. We determined high-resolution crystal structures of this enzyme that define an open-close transition associated with ligand binding and set the stage for future engineering within this enzyme subfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zmich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Lydia J. Perkins
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Craig Bingman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Justin F Acheson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Andrew R. Buller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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8
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Ding W, Tian D, Chen M, Xia Z, Tang X, Zhang S, Wei J, Li X, Yao X, Wu B, Tang J. Molecular Networking-Guided Isolation of Cyclopentapeptides from the Hydrothermal Vent Sediment Derived Fungus Aspergillus pseudoviridinutans TW58-5 and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1919-1930. [PMID: 37368370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive isolation of known compounds remains a major challenge in natural-product-based drug discovery. LC-MS/MS-based molecular networking has become a highly efficient strategy for the discovery of new natural products from complex mixtures. Herein, we report a molecular networking-guided isolation procedure, which resulted in the discovery of seven new cyclopentapeptides, namely, pseudoviridinutans A-F (1-7), from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus pseudoviridinutans TW58-5. Compounds 1-7 feature a rare amino acid moiety, O,β-dimethyltyrosine, observed for the first time from a marine-derived fungus. The planar structures of 1-7 were elucidated by detailed analyses of IR, UV, HR ESI-Q-TOF MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Meanwhile, their absolute configurations were determined through a combination of Marfey's method and X-ray diffraction. Subsequent bioassay revealed the anti-inflammation potential of 1-7, especially 6, which inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), a vital inflammatory mediator, in LPS-induced murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells by regulating the expression level of NLRP3 and iNOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Ding
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Danmei Tian
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zixuan Xia
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiyang Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Sihao Zhang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jihua Wei
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan Campus, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Xunuo Li
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan Campus, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Xinsheng Yao
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan Campus, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Jinshan Tang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drug Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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9
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Igarashi Y. Development of a drug discovery approach from microbes with a special focus on isolation sources and taxonomy. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2023:10.1038/s41429-023-00625-y. [PMID: 37188757 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-023-00625-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
After the successful discoveries of numerous antibiotics from microorganisms, frequent reisolation of known compounds becomes an obstacle in further development of new drugs from natural products. Exploration of biological sources that can provide novel scaffolds is thus an urgent matter in drug lead screening. As an alternative source to the conventionally used soil microorganisms, we selected endophytic actinomycetes, marine actinomycetes, and actinomycetes in tropical areas for investigation and found an array of new bioactive compounds. Furthermore, based on the analysis of the distribution pattern of biosynthetic gene clusters in bacteria together with available genomic data, we speculated that biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites are specific to each genus. Based on this assumption, we investigated actinomycetal and marine bacterial genera from which no compounds have been reported, which led to the discovery of a variety of skeletally novel bioactive compounds. These findings suggest that consideration of environmental factor and taxonomic position is critically effective in the selection of potential strains producing structurally unique compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Igarashi
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan.
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10
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Hickey J, Sindhikara D, Zultanski SL, Schultz DM. Beyond 20 in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges of Non-canonical Amino Acids in Peptide Drug Discovery. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:557-565. [PMID: 37197469 PMCID: PMC10184154 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Life is constructed primarily using a toolbox of 20 canonical amino acids-relying upon these building blocks for the assembly of proteins and peptides that regulate nearly every cellular task, including cell structure, function, and maintenance. While Nature continues to be a source of inspiration for drug discovery, medicinal chemists are not beholden to only 20 canonical amino acids and have begun to explore non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) for the construction of designer peptides with improved drug-like properties. However, as our toolbox of ncAAs expands, drug hunters are encountering new challenges in approaching the iterative peptide design-make-test-analyze cycle with a seemingly boundless set of building blocks. This Microperspective focuses on new technologies that are accelerating ncAA interrogation in peptide drug discovery (including HELM notation, late-stage functionalization, and biocatalysis) while shedding light on areas where further investment could not only accelerate the discovery of new medicines but also improve downstream development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer
L. Hickey
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck & Co.,
Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Dan Sindhikara
- Department
of Modeling and Informatics, Merck &
Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Susan L. Zultanski
- Department
of Process Research & Development, Merck
& Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Danielle M. Schultz
- Department
of Process Research & Development, Merck
& Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
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11
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Alfonzo E, Das A, Arnold FH. New Additions to the Arsenal of Biocatalysts for Noncanonical Amino Acid Synthesis. CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY 2022; 38:100701. [PMID: 36561208 PMCID: PMC9770695 DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) merge the conformational behavior and native interactions of proteinogenic amino acids with nonnative chemical motifs and have proven invaluable in developing modern therapeutics. This blending of native and nonnative characteristics has resulted in essential drugs like nirmatrelvir, which comprises three ncAAs and is used to treat COVID-19. Enzymes are appearing prominently in recent syntheses of ncAAs, where they demonstrate impressive control over the stereocenters and functional groups found therein. Here we review recent efforts to expand the biocatalyst arsenal for synthesizing ncAAs with natural enzymes. We also discuss how new-to-nature enzymes can contribute to this effort by catalyzing reactions inspired by the vast repertoire of chemical catalysis and acting on substrates that would otherwise not be used in synthesizing ncAAs. Abiotic enzyme-catalyzed reactions exploit the selectivity afforded by a macromolecular catalyst to access molecules not available to natural enzymes and perhaps not even chemical catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Alfonzo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 210-41, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Anuvab Das
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 210-41, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Frances H Arnold
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 210-41, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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12
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Abstract
Many enzymes possess high catalytic efficiency and selectivity that far surpass classical organic or organometallic catalysts. However, the initial starting enzyme for a given transformation does not always possess the right properties needed for broad utilization. Searching in genome/protein sequence libraries for homologs, aided with powerful bioinformatic tools developed in recent years, provides an avenue to identify superior biocatalysts. Herein, we highlight several case studies to illustrate the power of this concept. A brief discussion on its complementarity with contemporary approaches in protein engineering (such as directed evolution) and possible future developments is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, Houston, TX,77005, USA
| | - Hans Renata
- Department of Chemistry, BioScience Research Collaborative, Rice University, Houston, TX,77005, USA
- Lead Contact
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13
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Vanable EP, Habgood LG, Patrone JD. Current Progress in the Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Natural Products. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196373. [PMID: 36234909 PMCID: PMC9571504 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products, with their array of structural complexity, diversity, and biological activity, have inspired generations of chemists and driven the advancement of techniques in their total syntheses. The field of natural product synthesis continuously evolves through the development of methodologies to improve stereoselectivity, yield, scalability, substrate scope, late-stage functionalization, and/or enable novel reactions. One of the more interesting and unique techniques to emerge in the last thirty years is the use of chemoenzymatic reactions in the synthesis of natural products. This review highlights some of the recent examples and progress in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of natural products from 2019–2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan P. Vanable
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Elmhurst University, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA
| | - Laurel G. Habgood
- Department of Chemistry, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA
| | - James D. Patrone
- Department of Chemistry, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA
- Correspondence:
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14
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Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of natural products and their analogs. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 77:102759. [PMID: 35908314 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes continue to gain recognition as valuable tools in synthetic chemistry as they enable transformations, which elude conventional organochemical approaches. As such, the progressing expansion of the biocatalytic arsenal has introduced unprecedented opportunities for new synthetic strategies and retrosynthetic disconnections. As a result, enzymes have found a solid foothold in modern natural product synthesis for applications ranging from the generation of early chiral synthons to endgame transformations, convergent synthesis, and cascade reactions for the rapid construction of molecular complexity. As a primer to the state-of-the-art concerning strategic uses of enzymes in natural product synthesis and the underlying concepts, this review highlights selected recent literature examples, which make a strong case for the admission of enzymatic methodologies into the standard repertoire for complex small-molecule synthesis.
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Hu L, Wang Y, Xu L, Yin Q, Zhang X. Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Unprotected Unnatural α‐Amino Acid Derivatives by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202202552. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202202552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Le'an Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
- Medi-X Pingshan Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
| | - Yuan‐Zheng Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
- Medi-X Pingshan Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
| | - Lei Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
| | - Qin Yin
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
| | - Xumu Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
- Medi-X Pingshan Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 P. R. China
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Hu L, Wang YZ, Xu L, Yin Q, Zhang X. Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Unprotected Unnatural α‐Amino Acid Derivatives by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Reductive Amination. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202202552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Le’an Hu
- Southern University of Science and Technology Chemistry CHINA
| | - Yuan-Zheng Wang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Chemistry CHINA
| | - Lei Xu
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences CHINA
| | - Qin Yin
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences CHINA
| | - Xumu Zhang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Chemistry 1088 Xueyuan Avenue 518055 Shenzhen CHINA
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Yang LC, Deng H, Renata H. Recent Progress and Developments in Chemoenzymatic and Biocatalytic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution. Org Process Res Dev 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.1c00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Cheng Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Heping Deng
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Hans Renata
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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18
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Hill RA, Sutherland A. Hot off the press. Nat Prod Rep 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1np90037d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as chlorahupetone A from Chloranthus henryi var. hupehensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Hill
- School of Chemistry, Glasgow University, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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