New enzymes for biotransformations.
Several novel bioprocesses that have little or no counterpart in traditional methodology have recently been reported. The stereoselective and enantioselective hydrolysis of sec-alkyl sulfate esters by alkyl sulfatases proceeds with inversion of configuration and furnishes a homochiral product mixture. Haloalcohol dehalogenases were shown to accept various non-natural nucleophiles, such as azide, cyanide and nitrite for the asymmetric opening of epoxides giving rise to the corresponding azido-, cyano-, and nitro-alcohols as non-natural products. Asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation via the acyloin- and benzoin-reaction was successfully catalyzed in water by novel lyases, such as benzoylformate decarboxylase and benzaldehyde lyase. New methods for the production of chiral nonracemic alpha-L-amino acids and amines were recently reported. Enantioselective stereoinversion of racemic alpha-aryl- and alpha-aryloxycarboxylic acids via epimerase-catalyzed inversion led to a single stereoisomeric product from the racemate.
Faber
Kurt
K
Department of Chemistry, Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria. Kurt.Faber@uni-graz.at
Kroutil
Wolfgang
W
D001105:Archaea / Q000201:enzymology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D001711:Biotransformation; D002384:Catalysis; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D004798:Enzymes; D009930:Organic Chemicals