Biocatalytic Approaches for the Synthesis of Enantiopure Epoxides

One-pot chemo- and photo-enzymatic linear cascade processes

The combination of chemo- and photocatalyses with biocatalysis, which couples the flexible reactivity of the photo- and chemocatalysts with the highly selective and environmentally friendly nature of enzymes in one-pot linear cascades, represents a powerful tool in organic synthesis. However, the combination of photo-, chemo- and biocatalysts in one-pot is challenging because the optimal operating conditions of the involved catalyst types may be rather different, and the different stabilities of catalysts and their mutual deactivation are additional problems often encountered in one-pot cascade processes. This review explores a large number of transformations and approaches adopted for combining enzymes and chemo- and photocatalytic processes in a successful way to achieve valuable chemicals and valorisation of biomass. Moreover, the strategies for solving incompatibility issues in chemo-enzymatic reactions are analysed, introducing recent examples of the application of non-conventional solvents, enzyme-metal hybrid catalysts, and spatial compartmentalization strategies to implement chemo-enzymatic cascade processes.

Substrate range and enantioselectivity of epoxidation reactions mediated by the ethene-oxidising Mycobacterium strain NBB4

Mycobacterium strain NBB4 is an ethene-oxidising micro-organism isolated from estuarine sediments. In pursuit of new systems for biocatalytic epoxidation, we report the capacity of strain NBB4 to convert a diverse range of alkene substrates to epoxides. A colorimetric assay based on 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine) has been developed to allow the rapid characterisation and quantification of biocatalytic epoxide synthesis. Using this assay, we have demonstrated that ethene-grown NBB4 cells epoxidise a wide range of alkenes, including terminal (propene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene and 1-decene), cyclic (cyclopentene, cyclohexene), aromatic (styrene, indene) and functionalised substrates (allyl alcohol, dihydropyran and isoprene). Apparent specific activities have been determined and range from 2.5 to 12.0 nmol min(-1) per milligram of cell protein. The enantioselectivity of epoxidation by Mycobacterium strain NBB4 has been established using styrene as a test substrate; (R)-styrene oxide is produced in enantiomeric excesses greater than 95%. Thus, the ethene monooxygenase of Mycobacterium NBB4 has a broad substrate range and promising enantioselectivity, confirming its potential as a biocatalyst for alkene epoxidation.

Biochemical characterization of StyAB from Pseudomonas sp. strain VLB120 as a two-component flavin-diffusible monooxygenase

Pseudomonas sp. VLB120 uses styrene as a sole source of carbon and energy. The first step in this metabolic pathway is catalyzed by an oxygenase (StyA) and a NADH-flavin oxidoreductase (StyB). Both components have been isolated from wild-type Pseudomonas strain VLB120 as well as from recombinant Escherichia coli. StyA from both sources is a dimer, with a subunit size of 47 kDa, and catalyzes the enantioselective epoxidation of CC double bonds. Styrene is exclusively converted to S-styrene oxide with a specific activity of 2.1 U mg(-1) (k(cat) = 1.6 s(-1)) and K(m) values for styrene of 0.45 +/- 0.05 mM (wild type) and 0.38 +/- 0.09 mM (recombinant). The epoxidation reaction depends on the presence of a NADH-flavin adenine dinucleotide (NADH-FAD) oxidoreductase for the supply of reduced FAD. StyB is a dimer with a molecular mass of 18 kDa and a NADH oxidation activity of 200 U mg(-1) (k(cat) [NADH] = 60 s(-1)). Steady-state kinetics determined for StyB indicate a mechanism of sequential binding of NADH and flavin to StyB. This enzyme reduces FAD as well as flavin mononucleotide and riboflavin. The NADH oxidation activity does not depend on the presence of StyA. During the epoxidation reaction, no formation of a complex of StyA and StyB has been observed, suggesting that electron transport between reductase and oxygenase occurs via a diffusing flavin.

Biocatalytic synthesis of intermediates for the synthesis of chiral drug substances

There has been an increasing awareness of the enormous potential of microorganisms and enzymes for the transformation of synthetic chemicals with high chemo-, regio- and enantioselectivity. Chiral intermediates and fine chemicals are in high demand, both from the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, for the preparation of bulk drug substances and agricultural products. Biocatalytic processes have been described for the synthesis of chiral intermediates for beta3- and beta2-receptor agonists, antihypertensive drugs, antiviral agents, melatonin receptor agonists, anticholesterol and anticancer drugs, and drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Purification and characterization of a highly enantioselective epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger

The epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger was purified to homogeneity using a four-step procedure and p-nitrostyrene oxide (pNSO) as substrate. The enzyme was purified 246-fold with 4% activity yield. The protein is a tetramer composed of four identical subunits of molecular mass 45 kDa. Maximum activity was observed at 40 degrees C, pH 7.0, and with dimethylformamide as cosolvent to dissolve pNSO. Hydrolysis of pNSO was highly enantioselective, with an E value (i.e. enantiomeric ratio) of 40 and a high regioselectivity (97%) for the less hindered carbon atom of the epoxide. This enzyme may be a good biocatalyst for the preparation of enantiopure epoxides or diols.