Ester synthesis by NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenation of hemiacetal: production of methyl formate by cells of methylotrophic yeasts.
A water-soluble ester, methyl formate, was detected as a metabolite in the culture medium of methylotrophic yeasts. Methyl formate synthase, which catalyses NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenation of the hemiacetal adduct of methanol and formaldehyde, catalyses the ester synthesis. The enzyme activity was induced on a methanol medium and was increased further by the addition of formaldehyde. In the reaction system using intact cells of Pichia methanolica AKU 4262, 135 mM (8.1 g/liter) methyl formate was produced from 2 M methanol. This is a new biological process for ester synthesis that couples spontaneous formation of hemiacetal and alcohol dehydrogenase.
Murdanoto
A P
AP
Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Japan.
Sakai
Y
Y
Sembiring
L
L
Tani
Y
Y
Kato
N
N
D004952:Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D005563:Formic Acid Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000432:Methanol / Q000378:metabolism; D009243:NAD / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010843:Pichia / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D004952:Esters; D005563:Formic Acid Esters; D009243:NAD; D005557:Formaldehyde; C025468:methyl formate; D000432:Methanol