1
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Mou SB, Chen KY, Kunthic T, Xiang Z. Design and Evolution of an Artificial Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Enzyme Featuring an Organoboronic Acid Residue. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39190546 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Creating artificial enzymes by the genetic incorporation of noncanonical amino acids with catalytic side chains would expand the enzyme chemistries that have not been discovered in nature. Here, we report the design of an artificial enzyme that uses p-boronophenylalanine as the catalytic residue. The artificial enzyme catalyzes Michael-type Friedel-Crafts alkylation through covalent activation. The designer enzyme was further engineered to afford high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. We next developed a practical method for preparative-scale reactions by whole-cell catalysis. This enzymatic C-C bond formation reaction was combined with palladium-catalyzed dearomative arylation to achieve the efficient synthesis of spiroindolenine compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Bin Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, AI for Science (AI4S) Preferred Program, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Kai-Yue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, AI for Science (AI4S) Preferred Program, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Thittaya Kunthic
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, AI for Science (AI4S) Preferred Program, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, AI for Science (AI4S) Preferred Program, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Gaoke Innovation Center, Guangqiao Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518132, P. R. China
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2
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Zhu Z, Hu Q, Fu Y, Tong Y, Zhou Z. Design and Evolution of an Enzyme for the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Cyclic Ketones to Nitroolefins by Enamine Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404312. [PMID: 38783596 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404312] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Consistent introduction of novel enzymes is required for developing efficient biocatalysts for challenging biotransformations. Absorbing catalytic modes from organocatalysis may be fruitful for designing new-to-nature enzymes with novel functions. Herein we report a newly designed artificial enzyme harboring a catalytic pyrrolidine residue that catalyzes the asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic ketones to nitroolefins through enamine activation with high efficiency. Diverse chiral γ-nitro cyclic ketones with two stereocenters were efficiently prepared with excellent stereoselectivity (up to 97 % e.e., >20 : 1 d.r.) and good yield (up to 86 %). This work provides an efficient biocatalytic strategy for cyclic ketone functionalization, and highlights the usefulness of artificial enzymes for extending biocatalysis to further non-natural reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixi Zhu
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Qinru Hu
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yi Fu
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yingjia Tong
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Zhi Zhou
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
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3
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Birch-Price Z, Hardy FJ, Lister TM, Kohn AR, Green AP. Noncanonical Amino Acids in Biocatalysis. Chem Rev 2024; 124:8740-8786. [PMID: 38959423 PMCID: PMC11273360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00120] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, powerful genetic code reprogramming methods have emerged that allow new functional components to be embedded into proteins as noncanonical amino acid (ncAA) side chains. In this review, we will illustrate how the availability of an expanded set of amino acid building blocks has opened a wealth of new opportunities in enzymology and biocatalysis research. Genetic code reprogramming has provided new insights into enzyme mechanisms by allowing introduction of new spectroscopic probes and the targeted replacement of individual atoms or functional groups. NcAAs have also been used to develop engineered biocatalysts with improved activity, selectivity, and stability, as well as enzymes with artificial regulatory elements that are responsive to external stimuli. Perhaps most ambitiously, the combination of genetic code reprogramming and laboratory evolution has given rise to new classes of enzymes that use ncAAs as key catalytic elements. With the framework for developing ncAA-containing biocatalysts now firmly established, we are optimistic that genetic code reprogramming will become a progressively more powerful tool in the armory of enzyme designers and engineers in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anthony P. Green
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K.
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4
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Huang H, Yan T, Liu C, Lu Y, Wu Z, Wang X, Wang J. Genetically encoded Nδ-vinyl histidine for the evolution of enzyme catalytic center. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5714. [PMID: 38977701 PMCID: PMC11231154 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50005-9] [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: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic code expansion has emerged as a powerful tool for precisely introducing unnatural chemical structures into proteins to improve their catalytic functions. Given the high catalytic propensity of histidine in the enzyme pocket, increasing the chemical diversity of catalytic histidine could result in new characteristics of biocatalysts. Herein, we report the genetically encoded Nδ-Vinyl Histidine (δVin-H) and achieve the wild-type-like incorporation efficiency by the evolution of pyrrolysyl tRNA synthetase. As histidine usually acts as the nucleophile or the metal ligand in the catalytic center, we replace these two types of catalytic histidine to δVin-H to improve the performance of the histidine-involved catalytic center. Additionally, we further demonstrate the improvements of the hydrolysis activity of a previously reported organocatalytic esterase (the OE1.3 variant) in the acidic condition and myoglobin (Mb) catalyzed carbene transfer reactions under the aerobic condition. As histidine is one of the most frequently used residues in the enzyme catalytic center, the derivatization of the catalytic histidine by δVin-H holds a great potential to promote the performance of biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tao Yan
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuxiang Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xingchu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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5
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Jain S, Ospina F, Hammer SC. A New Age of Biocatalysis Enabled by Generic Activation Modes. JACS AU 2024; 4:2068-2080. [PMID: 38938808 PMCID: PMC11200230 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00247] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Biocatalysis is currently undergoing a profound transformation. The field moves from relying on nature's chemical logic to a discipline that exploits generic activation modes, allowing for novel biocatalytic reactions and, in many instances, entirely new chemistry. Generic activation modes enable a wide range of reaction types and played a pivotal role in advancing the fields of organo- and photocatalysis. This perspective aims to summarize the principal activation modes harnessed in enzymes to develop new biocatalysts. Although extensively researched in the past, the highlighted activation modes, when applied within enzyme active sites, facilitate chemical transformations that have largely eluded efficient and selective catalysis. This advance is attributed to multiple tunable interactions in the substrate binding pocket that precisely control competing reaction pathways and transition states. We will highlight cases of new synthetic methodologies achieved by engineered enzymes and will provide insights into potential future developments in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephan C. Hammer
- Research Group for Organic Chemistry
and Biocatalysis, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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6
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Yi HB, Lee S, Seo K, Kim H, Kim M, Lee HS. Cellular and Biophysical Applications of Genetic Code Expansion. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7465-7530. [PMID: 38753805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00112] [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: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite their diverse functions, proteins are inherently constructed from a limited set of building blocks. These compositional constraints pose significant challenges to protein research and its practical applications. Strategically manipulating the cellular protein synthesis system to incorporate novel building blocks has emerged as a critical approach for overcoming these constraints in protein research and application. In the past two decades, the field of genetic code expansion (GCE) has achieved significant advancements, enabling the integration of numerous novel functionalities into proteins across a variety of organisms. This technological evolution has paved the way for the extensive application of genetic code expansion across multiple domains, including protein imaging, the introduction of probes for protein research, analysis of protein-protein interactions, spatiotemporal control of protein function, exploration of proteome changes induced by external stimuli, and the synthesis of proteins endowed with novel functions. In this comprehensive Review, we aim to provide an overview of cellular and biophysical applications that have employed GCE technology over the past two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Bin Yi
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungeun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongjo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Minah Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
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7
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Williams TL, Taily IM, Hatton L, Berezin AA, Wu YL, Moliner V, Świderek K, Tsai YH, Luk LYP. Secondary Amine Catalysis in Enzyme Design: Broadening Protein Template Diversity through Genetic Code Expansion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403098. [PMID: 38545954 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403098] [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: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Secondary amines, due to their reactivity, can transform protein templates into catalytically active entities, accelerating the development of artificial enzymes. However, existing methods, predominantly reliant on modified ligands or N-terminal prolines, impose significant limitations on template selection. In this study, genetic code expansion was used to break this boundary, enabling secondary amines to be incorporated into alternative proteins and positions of choice. Pyrrolysine analogues carrying different secondary amines could be incorporated into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP), multidrug-binding LmrR and nucleotide-binding dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Notably, the analogue containing a D-proline moiety demonstrated both proteolytic stability and catalytic activity, conferring LmrR and DHFR with the desired transfer hydrogenation activity. While the LmrR variants were confined to the biomimetic 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) as the hydride source, the optimal DHFR variant favorably used the pro-R hydride from NADPH for stereoselective reactions (e.r. up to 92 : 8), highlighting that a switch of protein template could broaden the nucleophile option for catalysis. Owing to the cofactor compatibility, the DHFR-based secondary amine catalysis could be integrated into an enzymatic recycling scheme. This established method shows substantial potential in enzyme design, applicable from studies on enzyme evolution to the development of new biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Williams
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Irshad M Taily
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis Hatton
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey A Berezin
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Yi-Lin Wu
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Yu-Hsuan Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Gaoke International Innovation Center, Guangming District, 518132, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Louis Y P Luk
- School of Chemistry and Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
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8
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Ohata J. Friedel-Crafts reactions for biomolecular chemistry. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:3544-3558. [PMID: 38624091 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00406j] [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: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Chemical tools and principles have become central to biological and medical research/applications by leveraging a range of classical organic chemistry reactions. Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation are arguably some of the most well-known and used synthetic methods for the preparation of small molecules but their use in biological and medical fields is relatively less frequent than the other reactions, possibly owing to the notion of their plausible incompatibility with biological systems. This review demonstrates advances in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions in a variety of biomolecular chemistry fields. With the discoveries and applications of numerous biomolecule-catalyzed or -assisted processes, these reactions have garnered considerable interest in biochemistry, enzymology, and biocatalysis. Despite the challenges of reactivity and selectivity of biomolecular reactions, the alkylation and acylation reactions demonstrated their utility for the construction and functionalization of all the four major biomolecules (i.e., nucleosides, carbohydrates/saccharides, lipids/fatty acids, and amino acids/peptides/proteins), and their diverse applications in biological, medical, and material fields are discussed. As the alkylation and acylation reactions are often fundamental educational components of organic chemistry courses, this review is intended for both experts and nonexperts by discussing their basic reaction patterns (with the depiction of each reaction mechanism in the ESI) and relevant real-world impacts in order to enrich chemical research and education. The significant growth of biomolecular Friedel-Crafts reactions described here is a testament to their broad importance and utility, and further development and investigations of the reactions will surely be the focus in the organic biomolecular chemistry fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ohata
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA.
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9
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Longwitz L, Leveson-Gower RB, Rozeboom HJ, Thunnissen AMWH, Roelfes G. Boron catalysis in a designer enzyme. Nature 2024; 629:824-829. [PMID: 38720081 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07391-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes play an increasingly important role in improving the benignity and efficiency of chemical production, yet the diversity of their applications lags heavily behind chemical catalysts as a result of the relatively narrow range of reaction mechanisms of enzymes. The creation of enzymes containing non-biological functionalities facilitates reaction mechanisms outside nature's canon and paves the way towards fully programmable biocatalysis1-3. Here we present a completely genetically encoded boronic-acid-containing designer enzyme with organocatalytic reactivity not achievable with natural or engineered biocatalysts4,5. This boron enzyme catalyses the kinetic resolution of hydroxyketones by oxime formation, in which crucial interactions with the protein scaffold assist in the catalysis. A directed evolution campaign led to a variant with natural-enzyme-like enantioselectivities for several different substrates. The unique activation mode of the boron enzyme was confirmed using X-ray crystallography, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and 11B NMR spectroscopy. Our study demonstrates that genetic-code expansion can be used to create evolvable enantioselective enzymes that rely on xenobiotic catalytic moieties such as boronic acids and access reaction mechanisms not reachable through catalytic promiscuity of natural or engineered enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Longwitz
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Henriëtte J Rozeboom
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andy-Mark W H Thunnissen
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Roelfes
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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10
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Wang L, Zhang M, Teng H, Wang Z, Wang S, Li P, Wu J, Yang L, Xu G. Rationally introducing non-canonical amino acids to enhance catalytic activity of LmrR for Henry reaction. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:26. [PMID: 38647789 PMCID: PMC10992053 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00744-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of enzymes to catalyze Henry reaction has advantages of mild reaction conditions and low contamination, but low enzyme activity of promiscuous catalysis limits its application. Here, rational design was first performed to identify the key amino acid residues in Henry reaction catalyzed by Lactococcal multidrug resistance Regulator (LmrR). Further, non-canonical amino acids were introduced into LmrR, successfully obtaining variants that enhanced the catalytic activity of LmrR. The best variant, V15CNF, showed a 184% increase in enzyme activity compared to the wild type, and was 1.92 times more effective than the optimal natural amino acid variant, V15F. Additionally, this variant had a broad substrate spectrum, capable of catalyzing reactions between various aromatic aldehydes and nitromethane, with product yielded ranging from 55 to 99%. This study improved enzymatic catalytic activity by enhancing affinity between the enzyme and substrates, while breaking limited types of natural amino acid residues by introducing non-canonical amino acids into the enzyme, providing strategies for molecular modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengting Zhang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haidong Teng
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, 310011, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shulin Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pengcheng Li
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lirong Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Hanreich S, Bonandi E, Drienovská I. Design of Artificial Enzymes: Insights into Protein Scaffolds. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200566. [PMID: 36418221 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The design of artificial enzymes has emerged as a promising tool for the generation of potent biocatalysts able to promote new-to-nature reactions with improved catalytic performances, providing a powerful platform for wide-ranging applications and a better understanding of protein functions and structures. The selection of an appropriate protein scaffold plays a key role in the design process. This review aims to give a general overview of the most common protein scaffolds that can be exploited for the generation of artificial enzymes. Several examples are discussed and categorized according to the strategy used for the design of the artificial biocatalyst, namely the functionalization of natural enzymes, the creation of a new catalytic site in a protein scaffold bearing a wide hydrophobic pocket and de novo protein design. The review is concluded by a comparison of these different methods and by our perspective on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hanreich
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam (The, Netherlands
| | - Elisa Bonandi
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam (The, Netherlands
| | - Ivana Drienovská
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam (The, Netherlands
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12
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Ofori Atta L, Zhou Z, Roelfes G. In Vivo Biocatalytic Cascades Featuring an Artificial-Enzyme-Catalysed New-to-Nature Reaction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202214191. [PMID: 36342952 PMCID: PMC10100225 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202214191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Artificial enzymes utilizing the genetically encoded non-proteinogenic amino acid p-aminophenylalanine (pAF) as a catalytic residue are able to react with carbonyl compounds through an iminium ion mechanism to promote reactions that have no equivalent in nature. Herein, we report an in vivo biocatalytic cascade that is augmented with such an artificial enzyme-catalysed new-to-nature reaction. The artificial enzyme in this study is a pAF-containing evolved variant of the lactococcal multidrug-resistance regulator, designated LmrR_V15pAF_RMH, which efficiently converts benzaldehyde derivatives produced in vivo into the corresponding hydrazone products inside E. coli cells. These in vivo biocatalytic cascades comprising an artificial-enzyme-catalysed reaction are an important step towards achieving a hybrid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Ofori Atta
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Zhi Zhou
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG Groningen, The Netherlands.,Current address: School of Life Science and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Gerard Roelfes
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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13
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Birch-Price Z, Taylor CJ, Ortmayer M, Green AP. Engineering enzyme activity using an expanded amino acid alphabet. Protein Eng Des Sel 2022; 36:6825271. [PMID: 36370045 PMCID: PMC9863031 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzyme design and engineering strategies are typically constrained by the limited size of nature's genetic alphabet, comprised of only 20 canonical amino acids. In recent years, site-selective incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) via an expanded genetic code has emerged as a powerful means of inserting new functional components into proteins, with hundreds of structurally diverse ncAAs now available. Here, we highlight how the emergence of an expanded repertoire of amino acids has opened new avenues in enzyme design and engineering. ncAAs have been used to probe complex biological mechanisms, augment enzyme function and, most ambitiously, embed new catalytic mechanisms into protein active sites that would be challenging to access within the constraints of nature's genetic code. We predict that the studies reviewed in this article, along with further advances in genetic code expansion technology, will establish ncAA incorporation as an increasingly important tool for biocatalysis in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Birch-Price
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Christopher J Taylor
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Mary Ortmayer
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
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14
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Leveson‐Gower RB, Roelfes G. Biocatalytic Friedel-Crafts Reactions. ChemCatChem 2022; 14:e202200636. [PMID: 36606067 PMCID: PMC9804301 DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202200636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions are important methodologies in synthetic and industrial chemistry for the construction of aryl-alkyl and aryl-acyl linkages that are ubiquitous in bioactive molecules. Nature also exploits these reactions in many biosynthetic processes. Much work has been done to expand the synthetic application of these enzymes to unnatural substrates through directed evolution. The promise of such biocatalysts is their potential to supersede inefficient and toxic chemical approaches to these reactions, with mild operating conditions - the hallmark of enzymes. Complementary work has created many bio-hybrid Friedel-Crafts catalysts consisting of chemical catalysts anchored into biomolecular scaffolds, which display many of the same desirable characteristics. In this Review, we summarise these efforts, focussing on both mechanistic aspects and synthetic considerations, concluding with an overview of the frontiers of this field and routes towards more efficient and benign Friedel-Crafts reactions for the future of humankind.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard Roelfes
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of Groningen9747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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15
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Kumar V, Turnbull WB, Kumar A. Review on Recent Developments in Biocatalysts for Friedel–Crafts Reactions. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c01134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vajinder Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab 151302, India
| | - W. Bruce Turnbull
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Avneesh Kumar
- Department of Botany, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab 151302, India
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Abstract
The application of biocatalysis in conquering challenging synthesis requires the constant input of new enzymes. Developing novel biocatalysts by absorbing catalysis modes from synthetic chemistry has yielded fruitful new-to-nature enzymes. Organocatalysis was originally bio-inspired and has become the third pillar of asymmetric catalysis. Transferring organocatalytic reactions back to enzyme platforms is a promising approach for biocatalyst creation. Herein, we summarize recent developments in the design of novel biocatalysts that adopt iminium catalysis, a fundamental branch in organocatalysis. By repurposing existing enzymes or constructing artificial enzymes, various biocatalysts for iminium catalysis have been created and optimized via protein engineering to promote valuable abiological transformations. Recent advances in iminium biocatalysis illustrate the power of combining chemomimetic biocatalyst design and directed evolution to generate useful new-to-nature enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcai Xu
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical BiologyGroningen Research Institute of PharmacyUniversity of GroningenAntonius Deusinglaan 19713AV GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Gerrit J. Poelarends
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical BiologyGroningen Research Institute of PharmacyUniversity of GroningenAntonius Deusinglaan 19713AV GroningenThe Netherlands
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17
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Xu G, Poelarends GJ. Unlocking New Reactivities in Enzymes by Iminium Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202203613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guangcai Xu
- University of Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology NETHERLANDS
| | - Gerrit J. Poelarends
- University of Groningen Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology Antonius Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen NETHERLANDS
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18
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Leveson‐Gower RB, de Boer RM, Roelfes G. Tandem Friedel-Crafts-Alkylation-Enantioselective-Protonation by Artificial Enzyme Iminium Catalysis. ChemCatChem 2022; 14:e202101875. [PMID: 35915643 PMCID: PMC9313897 DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of organocatalysts into protein scaffolds holds the promise of overcoming some of the limitations of this powerful catalytic approach. Previously, we showed that incorporation of the non-canonical amino acid para-aminophenylalanine into the non-enzymatic protein scaffold LmrR forms a proficient and enantioselective artificial enzyme (LmrR_pAF) for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with enals. The unnatural aniline side-chain is directly involved in catalysis, operating via a well-known organocatalytic iminium-based mechanism. In this study, we show that LmrR_pAF can enantioselectively form tertiary carbon centres not only during C-C bond formation, but also by enantioselective protonation, delivering a proton to one face of a prochiral enamine intermediate. The importance of various side-chains in the pocket of LmrR is distinct from the Friedel-Crafts reaction without enantioselective protonation, and two particularly important residues were probed by exhaustive mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruben M. de Boer
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of Groningen9747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Gerard Roelfes
- Stratingh Institute for ChemistryUniversity of Groningen9747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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19
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Zetzsche LE, Chakrabarty S, Narayan ARH. The Transformative Power of Biocatalysis in Convergent Synthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:5214-5225. [PMID: 35290055 PMCID: PMC10082969 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Achieving convergent synthetic strategies has long been a gold standard in constructing complex molecular skeletons, allowing for the rapid generation of complexity in comparatively streamlined synthetic routes. Traditionally, biocatalysis has not played a prominent role in convergent laboratory synthesis, with the application of biocatalysts in convergent strategies primarily limited to the synthesis of chiral fragments. Although the use of enzymes to enable convergent synthetic approaches is relatively new and emerging, combining the efficiency of convergent transformations with the selectivity achievable through biocatalysis creates new opportunities for efficient synthetic strategies. This Perspective provides an overview of recent developments in biocatalytic strategies for convergent transformations and offers insights into the advantages of these methods compared to their small molecule-based counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara E. Zetzsche
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Suman Chakrabarty
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Alison R. H. Narayan
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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20
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Covalently tethering disulfonic acid moieties onto polyoxometalate boosts acid strength and catalytic performance for hydroxyalkylation/alkylation reaction. Sci China Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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21
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Nödling AR, Santi N, Castillo R, Lipka-Lloyd M, Jin Y, Morrill LC, Świderek K, Moliner V, Luk LYP. The role of streptavidin and its variants in catalysis by biotinylated secondary amines. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:10424-10431. [PMID: 34825690 PMCID: PMC8652411 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob01947c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here, we combine the use of host screening, protein crystallography and QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how the protein structure affects iminium catalysis by biotinylated secondary amines in a model 1,4 conjugate addition reaction. Monomeric streptavidin (M-Sav) lacks a quaternary structure and the solvent-exposed reaction site resulted in poor product conversion in the model reaction with low enantio- and regioselectivities. These parameters were much improved when the tetrameric host T-Sav was used; indeed, residues at the symmetrical subunit interface were proven to be critical for catalysis through a mutagenesis study. The use of QM/MM simulations and the asymmetric dimeric variant D-Sav revealed that both Lys121 residues which are located in the hosting and neighboring subunits play a critical role in controlling the stereoselectivity and reactivity. Lastly, the D-Sav template, though providing a lower conversion than that of the symmetric tetrameric counterpart, is likely a better starting point for future protein engineering because each surrounding residue within the asymmetric scaffold can be refined for secondary amine catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Nödling
- School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Nicolò Santi
- School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Raquel Castillo
- Department de Química Física i Analítica, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, 12071, Spain.
| | | | - Yi Jin
- School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Louis C Morrill
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- Department de Química Física i Analítica, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, 12071, Spain.
| | - Vicent Moliner
- Department de Química Física i Analítica, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, 12071, Spain.
| | - Louis Y P Luk
- School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
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22
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Stein A, Chen D, Igareta NV, Cotelle Y, Rebelein JG, Ward TR. A Dual Anchoring Strategy for the Directed Evolution of Improved Artificial Transfer Hydrogenases Based on Carbonic Anhydrase. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1874-1884. [PMID: 34849402 PMCID: PMC8620556 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Artificial metalloenzymes result from anchoring a metal cofactor within a host protein. Such hybrid catalysts combine the selectivity and specificity of enzymes with the versatility of (abiotic) transition metals to catalyze new-to-nature reactions in an evolvable scaffold. With the aim of improving the localization of an arylsulfonamide-bearing iridium-pianostool catalyst within human carbonic anhydrase II (hCAII) for the enantioselective reduction of prochiral imines, we introduced a covalent linkage between the host and the guest. Herein, we show that a judiciously positioned cysteine residue reacts with a p-nitropicolinamide ligand bound to iridium to afford an additional sulfonamide covalent linkage. Three rounds of directed evolution, performed on the dually anchored cofactor, led to improved activity and selectivity for the enantioselective reduction of harmaline (up to 97% ee (R) and >350 turnovers on a preparative scale). To evaluate the substrate scope, the best hits of each generation were tested with eight substrates. X-ray analysis, carried out at various stages of the evolutionary trajectory, was used to scrutinize (i) the nature of the covalent linkage between the cofactor and the host as well as (ii) the remodeling of the substrate-binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Stein
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- National
Center of Competence in Research “Molecular Systems Engineering”, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dongping Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- National
Center of Competence in Research “Molecular Systems Engineering”, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nico V. Igareta
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- National
Center of Competence in Research “Molecular Systems Engineering”, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yoann Cotelle
- Aix-Marseille
Université, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, iSm2, 13284 Marseille, France
| | - Johannes G. Rebelein
- Max
Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas R. Ward
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- National
Center of Competence in Research “Molecular Systems Engineering”, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Ospina F, Schülke KH, Hammer SC. Biocatalytic Alkylation Chemistry: Building Molecular Complexity with High Selectivity. Chempluschem 2021; 87:e202100454. [PMID: 34821073 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202100454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Biocatalysis has traditionally been viewed as a field that primarily enables access to chiral centers. This includes the synthesis of chiral alcohols, amines and carbonyl compounds, often through functional group interconversion via hydrolytic or oxidation-reduction reactions. This limitation is partly being overcome by the design and evolution of new enzymes. Here, we provide an overview of a recently thriving research field that we summarize as biocatalytic alkylation chemistry. In the past 3-4 years, numerous new enzymes have been developed that catalyze sp3 C-C/N/O/S bond formations. These enzymes utilize different mechanisms to generate molecular complexity by coupling simple fragments with high activity and selectivity. In many cases, the engineered enzymes perform reactions that are difficult or impossible to achieve with current small-molecule catalysts such as organocatalysts and transition-metal complexes. This review further highlights that the design of new enzyme function is particularly successful when off-the-shelf synthetic reagents are utilized to access non-natural reactive intermediates. This underscores how biocatalysis is gradually moving to a field that build molecules through selective bond forming reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Ospina
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kai H Schülke
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Stephan C Hammer
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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24
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Hill RA, Sutherland A. Hot off the press. Nat Prod Rep 2021. [PMID: 34350932 DOI: 10.1039/d1np90030g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [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 pyrasplorine A from Aspergillus versicolor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Hill
- School of Chemistry, Glasgow University, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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