Integration of newly isolated biocatalyst and resin-based in situ product removal technique for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-methyl mandelate

Coevolution-based protein engineering of alcohol dehydrogenase at distal sites enables enzymatic compatibility with substrate diversity and stereoselectivity

Chiral alcohols with various substituents and functional groups are attractive synthesizers in many fields. Biocatalysts have attracted great interest for their use in " sustainable chemistry". However, substrate specificity of enzymes limits their widespread use as "generalists" in biocatalysis. In addition, engineering enzymes for simultaneously improving catalytic efficiency and stereoselectivity for structurally diverse substrates is a contemporary challenge. Inspired by naturally occurring coevolution of residues dedicated to a particular function and clustered together in space, we applied coevolution-based engineering to the alcohol dehydrogenase CpRCR from Candida parapsilosis to identify distal sites which can synergistically improve the catalytic properties of diverse substrates. Five variants were developed by clustering the coupling strength and structure of coevolutionary sites which showed improved (up to 28-fold) catalytic efficiency with high stereoselectivity toward 16 structurally diverse substrates (aryl ketones, heterocyclic ketones and β-ketoesters). In particular, for substrate 2-acetylpyridine, the specific activity of K191L/D216H is 12-fold higher than the previously reported highest activity of alcohol dehydrogenase. Theses distal mutations do not directly modify the active center but rather modulate catalytic capacity in various allosteric ways favoring substrate diversity. This study provides a broadly applicable strategy for protein engineering and expanded the applications of biocatalyst on value-added chemicals.

Evolutionary coupling-inspired engineering of alcohol dehydrogenase reveals the influence of distant sites on its catalytic efficiency for stereospecific synthesis of chiral alcohols

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) has attracted much attention due to its ability to catalyze the synthesis of important chiral alcohol pharmaceutical intermediates with high stereoselectivity. ADH protein engineering efforts have generally focused on reshaping the substrate-binding pocket. However, distant sites outside the pocket may also affect its activity, although the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. The current study aimed to apply evolutionary coupling-inspired engineering to the ADH CpRCR and to identify potential mutation sites. Through conservative analysis, phylogenic analysis and residues distribution analysis, the co-evolution hotspots Leu34 and Leu137 were confirmed to be highly evolved under the pressure of natural selection and to be possibly related to the catalytic function of the protein. Hence, Leu34 and Leu137, far away from the active center, were selected for mutation. The generated CpRCR-L34A and CpRCR-L137V variants showed high stereoselectivity and 1.24-7.81 fold increase in k cat /K m value compared with that of the wild type, when reacted with 8 aromatic ketones or β-ketoesters. Corresponding computational study implied that L34 and L137 may extend allosteric fluctuation in the protein structure from the distal mutational site to the active site. Moreover, the L34 and L137 mutations modified the pre-reaction state in multiple ways, in terms of position of the hydride with respect to the target carbonyl. These findings provide insights into the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme and facilitate its regulation from the perspective of the site interaction network.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of (R)-1,3-butanediol via deracemization of the corresponding racemate by a whole-cell stereoinverting cascade system

Background

Deracemization, the transformation of the racemate into a single stereoisomeric product in 100% theoretical yield, is an appealing but challenging option for the asymmetric synthesis of optically pure chiral compounds as important pharmaceutical intermediates. To enhance the synthesis of (R)-1,3-butanediol from the corresponding low-cost racemate with minimal substrate waste, we designed a stereoinverting cascade deracemization route and constructed the cascade reaction for the total conversion of racemic 1,3-butanediol into its (R)-enantiomer. This cascade reaction consisted of the absolutely enantioselective oxidation of (S)-1,3-butanediol by Candida parapsilosis QC-76 and the subsequent asymmetric reduction of the intermediate 4-hydroxy-2-butanone to (R)-1,3-butanediol by Pichia kudriavzevii QC-1.

Results

The key reaction conditions including choice of cosubstrate, pH, temperature, and rotation speed were optimized systematically and determined as follows: adding acetone as the cosubstrate at pH 8.0, a temperature of 30 °C, and rotation speed of 250 rpm for the first oxidation process; in the next reduction process, the optimal conditions were: adding glucose as the cosubstrate at pH 8.0, a temperature of 35 °C, and rotation speed of 200 rpm. By investigating the feasibility of the step-by-step method with one-pot experiment as a natural extension for performing the oxidation–reduction cascade, the step-by-step approach exhibited high efficiency for this cascade process from racemate to (R)-1,3-butanediol. Under optimal conditions, 20 g/L of the racemate transformed into 16.67 g/L of (R)-1,3-butanediol with 99.5% enantiomeric excess by the oxidation–reduction cascade system in a 200-mL bioreactor.

Conclusions

The step-by-step cascade reaction efficiently produced (R)-1,3-butanediol from the racemate by biosynthesis and shows promising application prospects.

Efficient biocatalytic stereoselective reduction of methyl acetoacetate catalyzed by whole cells of engineered E. coli

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy esters, the key building blocks for many functional materials, is currently of great interest. In this study, the biocatalytic anti-Prelog reduction of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) to methyl-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ((R)-HBME) was successfully carried out with high enantioselectivity using the whole cell of engineered E. coli, which harbored an AcCR (carbonyl reductase) gene from Acetobacter sp. CCTCC M209061 and a GDH (glucose dehydrogenase) gene from Bacillus subtilis 168 for the in situ regeneration of the coenzyme. Compared with the corresponding wild strain, the engineered E. coli cells were proved to be more effective for the bio-reduction of MAA, and afforded much higher productivity. Under the optimized conditions, the product e.e. was >99.9% and the maximum yield was 85.3% after a reaction time of 10 h, which were much higher than those reported previously. In addition, the production of (R)-HBME increased significantly by using a fed-batch strategy of tuning pH, with a space-time yield of approximately 265 g L-1 d-1, thus the issue in previous research of relatively low substrate concentrations appears to be solved. Besides, the established bio-catalytic system was proved to be feasible up to a 150 mL scale with a large-scale relatively high substrate concentration and selectivity. For further industrial application, these results open a way to use of whole cells of engineered E. coli for challenging higher substrate concentrations of β-ketone esters enantioselective reduction reactions.

Functional Characterization of a Novel Dactylosporangium Esterase and Its Utilization in the Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)-Methyl Mandelate

One novel esterase DAEst6 was identified from the genome of Dactylosporangium aurantiacum subsp. Hamdenensis NRRL 18085. DAEst6 was further characterized to be an esterase which exhibited high resistance to high pH values. Esterase DAEst6 could resolve racemic methyl mandelate and generate (R)-methyl mandelate, one key drug intermediate, with an enantiomeric excess and a conversion of 99 and 49 %, respectively, after process optimization. The optimal working condition for the preparation of (R)-methyl mandelate through DAEst6 was found to be 10-mM racemic methyl mandelate, no organic co-solvents, pH 7.5, and 40 °C, for 5 h. Our work was the first report about the functional characterization of one novel Dactylosporangium esterase and the utilization of one Dactylosporangium esterase in kinetic resolution. Dactylosporangium esterases represented by DAEst6 possess great potential in the generation of valuable chiral drug intermediates and chemicals.

Markedly improving asymmetric oxidation of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanol with Acetobacter sp. CCTCC M209061 cells by adding deep eutectic solvent in a two-phase system

BACKGROUND

Enantiopure (S)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanol {(S)-MOPE} can be employed as an important synthon for the synthesis of cycloalkyl [b] indoles with the treatment function for general allergic response. To date, the biocatalytic resolution of racemic MOPE through asymmetric oxidation in the biphasic system has remained largely unexplored. Additionally, deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as a new class of promising green solvents, have recently gained increasing attention in biocatalysis for their excellent properties and many successful examples in biocatalytic processes. In this study, the biocatalytic asymmetric oxidation of MOPE to get (S)-MOPE using Acetobacter sp. CCTCC M209061 cells was investigated in different two-phase systems, and adding DES in a biphasic system was also explored to further improve the reaction efficiency of the biocatalytic oxidation.

RESULTS

Of all the examined water-immiscible organic solvents and ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophoshpate ([C4MIM][PF6]) afforded the best results, and consequently was selected as the second phase of a two-phase system for the asymmetric oxidation of MOPE with immobilized Acetobacter sp. CCTCC M209061 cells. For the reaction performed in the [C4MIM][PF6]/buffer biphasic system, under the optimized conditions, the initial reaction rate, the maximum conversion and the residual substrate e.e. recorded 97.8 μmol/min, 50.5 and >99.9 % after 10 h reaction. Furthermore, adding the DES [ChCl][Gly] (10 %, v/v) to the aqueous phase, the efficiency of the biocatalytic oxidation was rose markedly. The optimal substrate concentration and the initial reaction rate were significantly increased to 80 mmol/L and 124.0 μmol/min, respectively, and the reaction time was shortened to 7 h with 51.3 % conversion. The immobilized cell still retained over 72 % of its initial activity after 9 batches of successive reuse in the [C4MIM][PF6]/[ChCl][Gly]-containing buffer system. Additionally, the efficient biocatalytic process was feasible up to a 500-mL preparative scale.

CONCLUSION

The biocatalytic asymmetric oxidation of MOPE with Acetobacter sp. CCTCC M209061 cells was successfully conducted in the [C4MIM][PF6]-containing biphasic system with high conversion and enantioselectivity, and the reaction efficiency was further enhanced by adding [ChCl][Gly] to the reaction system. The efficient biocatalytic process was promising for the preparation of enantiopure (S)-MOPE.

Biocatalytic Resolution of Rac-α-Ethyl-2-Oxo-Pyrrolidineacetic Acid Methyl Ester by Immobilized Recombinant Bacillus cereus Esterase

A new esterase-producing strain (Bacillus cereus WZZ001) which exhibiting high hydrolytic activity and excellent enantioselectivity on rac-α-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidineacetic acid methyl ester (R, S-1) has been isolated from soil sample by our laboratory. In this study, the stereoselective hydrolysis of (R, S-1) was performed using the recombinant Bacillus cereus esterase which expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Under the optimized conditions of pH 8.0, 35 °C, and concentration of substrate 400 mM, a successful enzymatic resolution was achieved with an e.e. s of 99.5 % and conversion of 49 %. Immobilization considerably increased the reusability of the recombinant esterase; the immobilized enzyme showed excellent reusability during 6 cycles of repeated 2 h reactions at 35 °C. Thereby, it makes the recombinant B. cereus esterase a usable biocatalyst for industrial application.

Enhanced bioconversion of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid by a newly isolated Burkholderia sp. EG13

Burkholderia sp. EG13 with high ethylene glycol-oxidizing activity was isolated from soil, which could be used for the synthesis of glycolic acid from the oxidation of ethylene glycol. Using the resting cells of Burkholderia sp. EG13 as biocatalysts, the optimum reaction temperature and pH were 30 °C and 6.0, respectively. After 24 h of biotransformation, the yield of glycolic acid from 200 mM ethylene glycol was 98.8 %. Furthermore, an integrated bioprocess for the production of glycolic acid which involved in situ product removal (ISPR) was investigated. Using fed-batch method with ISPR, a total of 793 mM glycolic acid has been accumulated in the reaction mixture after the 4th feed.

Bioresolution production of (2R,3S)-ethyl-3-phenylglycidate for chemoenzymatic synthesis of the taxol C-13 side chain by Galactomyces geotrichum ZJUTZQ200, a new epoxide-hydrolase-producing strain

A newly isolated Galactomyces geotrichum ZJUTZQ200 strain containing an epoxide hydrolase was used to resolve racemic ethyl 3-phenylglycidate (rac-EPG) for producing (2R,3S)-ethyl-3-phenylglycidate ((2R,3S)-EPG). G. geotrichum ZJUTZQ200 was verified to be able to afford high enantioselectivity in whole cell catalyzed synthesis of this chiral phenylglycidate synthon. After the optimization of the enzymatic production and bioresolution conditions, (2R,3S)-EPG was afforded with high enantioselectivity (e.e._S > 99%, E > 49) after a 8 h reaction. The co-solvents, pH buffer solutions and substrate/cell ratio were found to have significant influences on the bioresolution properties of G. geotrichum ZJUTZQ200. Based on the bioresolution product (2R,3S)-EPG, taxol’s side chain ethyl (2R,3S)-3-benzoylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate was successfully synthesized by a chemoenzymatic route with high enantioselectivity (e.e._S > 95%).

Biocatalytic anti-Prelog reduction of prochiral ketones with whole cells of Acetobacter pasteurianus GIM1.158

Background

Enantiomerically pure alcohols are important building blocks for production of chiral pharmaceuticals, flavors, agrochemicals and functional materials and appropriate whole-cell biocatalysts offer a highly enantioselective, minimally polluting route to these valuable compounds. At present, most of these biocatalysts follow Prelog’s rule, and thus the (S)-alcohols are usually obtained when the smaller substituent of the ketone has the lower CIP priority. Only a few anti-Prelog (R)-specific whole cell biocatalysts have been reported. In this paper, the biocatalytic anti-Prelog reduction of 2-octanone to (R)-2-octanol was successfully conducted with high enantioselectivity using whole cells of Acetobacter pasteurianus GIM1.158.

Results

Compared with other microorganisms investigated, Acetobacter pasteurianus GIM1.158 was shown to be more effective for the reduction reaction, affording much higher yield, product enantiomeric excess (e.e.) and initial reaction rate. The optimal temperature, buffer pH, co-substrate and its concentration, substrate concentration, cell concentration and shaking rate were 35°C, 5.0, 500 mmol/L isopropanol, 40 mmol/L, 25 mg/mL and 120 r/min, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the maximum yield and the product e.e. were 89.5% and >99.9%, respectively, in 70 minutes. Compared with the best available data in aqueous system (yield of 55%), the yield of (R)-2-octanol was greatly increased. Additionally, the efficient whole-cell biocatalytic process was feasible on a 200-mL preparative scale and the chemical yield increased to 95.0% with the product e.e. being >99.9%. Moreover, Acetobacter pasteurianus GIM1.158 cells were proved to be capable of catalyzing the anti-Prelog bioreduction of other prochiral carbonyl compounds with high efficiency.

Conclusions

Via an effective increase in the maximum yield and the product e.e. with Acetobacter pasteurianus GIM1.158 cells, these results open the way to use of whole cells of this microorganism for challenging enantioselective reduction reactions on laboratory and commercial scales.

Efficient anti-Prelog enantioselective reduction of acetyltrimethylsilane to (R)-1-trimethylsilylethanol by immobilized Candida parapsilosis CCTCC M203011 cells in ionic liquid-based biphasic systems

BACKGROUND

Biocatalytic asymmetric reductions with whole cells can offer high enantioselectivity, environmentally benign processes and energy-effective operations and thus are of great interest. The application of whole cell-mediated bioreduction is often restricted if substrate and product have low water solubility and/or high toxicity to the biocatalyst. Many studies have shown that a biphasic system is often useful in this instance. Hence, we developed efficient biphasic reaction systems with biocompatible water-immiscible ionic liquids (ILs), to improve the biocatalytic anti-Prelog enantioselective reduction of acetyltrimethylsilane (ATMS) to (R)-1-trimethylsilylethanol {(R)-1-TMSE}, which is key synthon for a large number of silicon-containing drugs, using immobilized Candida parapsilosis CCTCC M203011 cells as the biocatalyst.

RESULTS

It was found that the substrate ATMS and the product 1-TMSE exerted pronounced toxicity to immobilized Candida parapsilosis CCTCC M203011 cells. The biocompatible water-immiscible ILs can be applied as a substrate reservoir and in situ extractant for the product, thus greatly enhancing the efficiency of the biocatalytic process and the operational stability of the cells as compared to the IL-free aqueous system. Various ILs exerted significant but different effects on the bioreduction and the performances of biocatalysts were closely related to the kinds and combination of cation and anion of ILs. Among all the water-immiscible ILs investigated, the best results were observed in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C(4)mim·PF(6))/buffer biphasic system. Furthermore, it was shown that the optimum substrate concentration, volume ratio of buffer to IL, buffer pH, reaction temperature and shaking rate for the bioreduction were 120 mM, 8/1 (v/v), 6.0, 30°C and 180 r/min, respectively. Under these optimized conditions, the initial reaction rate, the maximum yield and the product e.e. were 8.1 μmol/min g(cwm), 98.6% and >99%, respectively. The efficient whole-cell biocatalytic process was shown to be feasible on a 450-mL scale. Moreover, the immobilized cells remained around 87% of their initial activity even after being used repeatedly for 8 batches in the C(4)mim·PF(6)/buffer biphasic system, exhibiting excellent operational stability.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we have successfully utilized immobilized Candida parapsilosis CCTCC M203011 cells, for efficiently catalyzing anti-Prelog enantioselective reduction of ATMS to enantiopure (R)-1-TMSE in the C(4)mim·PF(6)/buffer biphasic system. The substantially improved biocatalytic process appears to be effective and competitive on a preparative scale.

Bioprocess design guided by in situ substrate supply and product removal: process intensification for synthesis of (S)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethanol

We report herein on bioprocess development guided by the hydrophobicities of substrate and product. Bioreductions of o-chloroacetophenone are severely limited by instability of the catalyst in the presence of aromatic substrate and (S)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethanol. In situ substrate supply and product removal was used to protect the utilized Escherichia coli whole cell catalyst based on Candida tenuis xylose reductase during the reaction. Further engineering at the levels of the catalyst and the reaction media was matched to low substrate concentrations in the aqueous phase. Productivities obtained in aqueous batch reductions were 21-fold improved by addition of 20% (v/v) hexane, NAD(+), expression engineering, cell permeabilization and pH optimization. Reduction of 300 mM substrate was accomplished in 97% yield and use of the co-solvent hexane in subsequent extraction steps led to 88% recovery. Product loss due to high catalyst loading was minimized by using the same extractant in bioreduction and product isolation.

Glycine feeding improves pristinamycin production during fermentation including resin for in situ separation

Seven amino acids were tested as precursors to affect pristinamycin production by a mutant strain derived from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis ATCC25486. Of those, glycine was selected as the best precursor to facilitate both cell growth and pristinamycin production at the feeding time of 36-h incubation and the feeding rate of 0.75 g L(-1) flask culture. The optimized time and concentration of glycine feeding were applied to enlarged 3-L bioreactor fermentation with a resin added at the time of 20-h fermentation for in situ separation. As a result, a combination of the glycine feeding and the added resin resulted in the maximal pristinamycin yield of 616 mg L(-1) culture 12 h after glycine feeding. The yield from the combined treatment was 1.71-, 2.77- and 4.32-fold of those from the mere glycine and resin treatments and the control, respectively. Other parameters, including intracellular nucleic acid content, animo nitrogen content and pH level, during 72-h fermentation were also given in association with the pristinamycin yields in the different treatments. The results indicate that glycine feeding is an effective approach to enhance pristinamycin production in the culture of S. pristinaespiralis F213 with supplemented resin for in situ separation.