The synergistic decarboxylation of glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate by an enzyme system from pig-liver mitochondria

1. An enzyme system that catalyses a synergistic decarboxylation of glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate has been purified from pig-liver mitochondria. 2. The purified system is specific for glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate as substrates, although in earlier stages of purification glycine and l-glutamate are also active. 3. The reaction is inhibited strongly by EDTA and N-ethylmaleimide. Substrate analogues, present at concentrations equimolar with respect to the substrates, are not effective as inhibitors. 4. The reaction proceeds in the absence of added cofactors. Magnesium chloride, mercaptoethanol and sucrose stimulate the reaction, and stabilize the activity of the enzyme. 5. The pH optimum of the reaction is 7·0. The K_m values of glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate, at saturating concentration of the corresponding co-substrate, are 16mm and 3·6mm respectively. 6. Isotopic work with specifically labelled [¹⁴C]glyoxylate and 2-oxo[¹⁴C]-glutarate suggests that the enzyme system catalyses an initial condensation of glyoxylate and 2-oxoglutarate that results in, or leads to, release of C-1 of both substrates as carbon dioxide. C-2 of glyoxylate and C-5 of 2-oxoglutarate do not appear as carbon dioxide. 7. The stoicheiometry of the reaction is complex. During the initial stages of the reaction, more carbon dioxide is recovered from 2-oxoglutarate than from glyoxylate. Subsequently, there is a disproportionate increase with time of carbon dioxide evolution from the carboxyl group of glyoxylate. The excess of decarboxylation of glyoxylate over 2-oxogluturate is further increased by treatment of reaction products with acid.     

The adaptive behaviour of isoenzyme forms of rat liver alanine amino transferases during development

1. The activities of the mitochondrial and cytosol isoenzyme forms of l-alanine–glyoxylate and l-alanine–2-oxoglutarate aminotransferases were determined in rat liver during foetal and neonatal development. 2. The mitochondrial glyoxylate aminotransferase activity begins to develop in late-foetal liver, increases rapidly at birth to a peak during suckling and then decreases at weaning to the adult value. 3. The cytosol glyoxylate aminotransferase and the mitochondrial and cytosol 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities first appear prenatally, increase further after birth and then rise to the adult values during weaning. 4. In foetal liver the mitochondrial glyoxylate aminotransferase and the cytosol 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities are increased after injection in utero of glucagon, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (6-N,2′-O-dibutyryladenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate) or thyroxine. The cytosol glyoxylate aminotransferase and the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities are increased after injection in utero of cortisol or thyroxine. 5. After birth the further normal increases in the mitochondrial and cytosol 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities can be hastened by cortisol injection, whereas the increase in cytosol glyoxylate aminotransferase activity requires cortisol treatment together with the intragastric administration of casein. 6. The results are discussed with reference to the metabolic patterns and the changes in regulatory stimuli (hormonal and dietary) that occur during the period of development.     

An efficient biotransformation of dialkyl esters of 2-oxoglutaric acid by Rhodotorula minuta whole cells

Whole cells of the yeast Rhodotorula minuta were used in the biotransformation of dialkyl esters of 2-oxoglutaric acid. Almost 100% of conversion with 97-98% of enantiomeric excess of the (S) form of 2-hydroxydiesters was obtained through an enantioselective reduction of dimethyl and diethyl 2-oxoglutarate. When longer alkoxy chain 2-oxoglutarates were used as substrates, the corresponding 4-hydroxybutyric esters were obtained, suggesting a combination process including hydrolysis, decarboxylation and reduction. The cells showed a remarkable high productivity: high conversion and enantiomeric excess were obtained at 2 g wet weight mmol^-1 substrate.     

A novel ene-reductase from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 for the asymmetric reduction of alkenes

The increasing demand for enantiopure molecules in the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industry requires the availability of well-characterized and efficient biocatalysts for asymmetric syntheses. Thereby, asymmetric reduction of alkenes represents one of the most employed reactions for the production of chiral molecules. Here, we present a novel ene-reductase from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942, a member of the old yellow enzyme family, capable of reducing CC bonds in a anti-specific fashion. We evaluated its biocatalytic potential by characterizing the substrate spectrum, cofactor preference, stereoselectivity and biochemical properties. This NADPH-dependent flavoprotein accepted a wide range of activated alkenes and displayed a pH optimum between pH 7.6 and pH 8.6. A C-terminal His₆-tag decreased the enzyme activity 2.7-fold, but did not influence the stereoselectivity. The reduction of (R)-carvone and 2-methylmaleimide yielded (R)-products with high optical purities (98% de and >99% ee, respectively), pointing out the applicability of this new biocatalyst in the stereoselective production of chiral compounds.     

Production of chiral alcohols by enantioselective reduction with NADH-dependent phenylacetaldehyde reductase from Corynebacterium strain,ST-10

Phenylacetaldehyde reductase (PAR) (systematic name, 2-phenylethanol: NAD⁺ oxidoreductase) isolated from styrene-assimilating Corynebacterium strain ST-10 was used to produce chiral alcohols. This enzyme with a broad substrate range reduced various prochiral 2-alkanones and aromatic ketones to yield optically active secondary alcohols with an enantiomeric purity of 87–100% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). The stereochemistry of PAR revealed that the pro-R hydrogen of NADH was transferred to carbonyl moiety of acetophenone derivatives or alkanones through its re face. The combination with a NADH-regenerating system using formate dehydrogenase and formate was able to practically produce optically pure alcohols.     

An efficient biotransformation of dialkyl esters of 2-oxoglutaric acid by Rhodotorula minuta whole cells

Whole cells of the yeast Rhodotorula minuta were used in the biotransformation of dialkyl esters of 2-oxoglutaric acid. Almost 100% of conversion with 97–98% of enantiomeric excess of the (S) form of 2-hydroxydiesters was obtained through an enantioselective reduction of dimethyl and diethyl 2-oxoglutarate. When longer alkoxy chain 2-oxoglutarates were used as substrates, the corresponding 4-hydroxybutyric esters were obtained, suggesting a combination process including hydrolysis, decarboxylation and reduction. The cells showed a remarkable high productivity: high conversion and enantiomeric excess were obtained at 2 g wet weight mmol^?1 substrate.     

Biochemical characterization and kinetic properties of alanine aminotransferase homologues partially purified from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Four homologues of alanine aminotransferase have been isolated from shoots of wheat seedlings and purified by saline precipitation, gel filtration, preparative electrophoresis and anion exchange chromatography on Protein-Pak Q 8HR column attached to HPLC. Alanine aminotransferase 1 (AlaAT1) and 2 (AlaAT2) were purified 303- and 452-fold, respectively, whereas l-glutamate: glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (GGAT1) and 2 (GGAT2) were purified 485- and 440-fold, respectively. Consistent inhibition of AlaAT (EC 2.6.1.2) and GGAT (EC 2.6.1.4) activities by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate points on participation of cysteine residues in the enzyme activity. The molecular weight of AlaAT1 and AlaAT2 was estimated to be 65 kDa and both of them are monomers in native state. Nonsignificant differences between K_m using alanine as substrate and catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) for l-alanine in reaction with 2-oxoglutarate indicate comparable kinetic constants for AlaAT1 and AlaAT2. Similar kinetic constants for l-alanine in reaction with 2-oxoglutarate and for l-glutamate in reaction with pyruvate for all four homologues suggest equally efficient reaction in both forward and reverse directions. GGAT1 and GGAT2 were able to catalyze transamination between l-glutamate and glyoxylate, l-alanine and glyoxylate and reverse reactions between glycine and 2-oxoglutarate or pyruvate. Both GGATs also consisted of a single subunit with molecular weight of about 50 kDa. The estimated K_m for GGAT1 (3.22 M) and GGAT2 (1.27 M) using l-glutamate as substrate was lower in transamination with glyoxylate than with pyruvate (9.52 and 9.09 mM, respectively). Moreover, distinctively higher values of catalytic efficiency for l-glutamate in reaction with glyoxylate than for l-glutamate in reaction with pyruvate confirm involvement of these homologues into photorespiratory metabolism.     

Asymmetric catalysis of the Strecker amino acid synthesis by a cyclic dipeptide

Summary A novel cyclic dipeptide —cyclo[(S)-His-(S)-NorArg] — has been prepared which catalyzes an enantioselective version of the Strecker amino acid synthesis. The catalyst, when present in 2 mol % quantity in methanol solution, catalyzes the addition of hydrogen cyanide toN-alkylimines to afford-amino nitriles in high yield and high enantiomeric excess. Furthermore, acid hydrolysis ofN-benzhydryl--amino nitriles afforded the corresponding-amino acids directly. This methodology affords a variety of arylglycines in exceptionally high enantiomeric excess, but aliphatic amino acids were obtained with low enantioselectivity. Current efforts are underway to expand the scope of this reaction, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of catalysis and the roles played by substrate and catalyst in determining the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.A preliminary communication on this work has recently appeared in: Iyer MS, Gigstad KM, Namdev ND, Lipton MA (1996) J Am Chem Soc 118: 4910–4911.     

The metabolism of galactarate, d-glucarate and various pentoses by species of Pseudomonas

1. When NAD⁺ was present, cell extracts of Pseudomonas (A) grown with d-glucarate or galactarate converted 1mol. of either substrate into 1mol. each of 2-oxoglutarate and carbon dioxide; 70–80% of the gas originated from C-1 of the hexarate. 2. The enzyme system that liberated carbon dioxide from galactarate was inactive in air and was stabilized by galactarate or Fe²⁺ ions; the system that acted on d-glucarate was more stable and was stimulated by Mg²⁺ ions. 3. When NAD⁺ was not added, 2-oxoglutarate semialdehyde accumulated from either substrate. This compound was isolated as its bis-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, and several properties of the derivative were compared with those of the chemically synthesized material. Methods were developed for the determination of 2-oxoglutarate semialdehyde. 4. Synthetic 2-oxoglutarate semialdehyde was converted into 2-oxoglutarate by an enzyme that required NAD⁺; the reaction rate with NADP⁺ was about one-sixth of that with NAD⁺. 5. For extracts of Pseudomonas (A) grown with d-glucarate or galactarate, or for those of Pseudomonas fragi grown with l-arabinose or d-xylose, specific activities of 2-oxoglutarate semialdehyde–NAD oxidoreductase were much higher than for extracts of the organisms grown with (+)-tartrate and d-glucose respectively. 6. Extracts of Pseudomonas fragi grown with l-arabinose or d-xylose converted l-arabonate or d-xylonate into 2-oxoglutarate when NAD⁺ was added to reaction mixtures and into 2-oxoglutarate semialdehyde when NAD⁺ was omitted.     

Fermentative degradation of glyoxylate by a new strictly anaerobic bacterium

A new strictly anaerobic, gram-negative, nonsporeforming bacterium, Strain PerGlx1, was enriched and isolated from marine sediment samples with glyoxylate as sole carbon and energy source. The guanineplus-cytosine content of the DNA was 44.1±0.2 mol %. Glyoxylate was utilized as the only substrate and was stoichiometrically degraded to carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and glycolate. An acetyl-CoA and ADP-dependent glyoxylate converting enzyme activity, malic enzyme, and pyruvate synthase were found at activities sufficient for growth (0.25 U x mg protein^-1). These findings allow to design a new degradation pathway for glyoxylate: glyoxylate is condensed with acetyl-CoA to form malyl-CoA; the free energy of the thioester linkage in malyl-CoA is conserved by substrate level phosphorylation. Part of the electrons released during glyoxylate oxidation to CO₂ reduce a small fraction of glyoxylate to glycolate.     

Inhibition of glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase activity in tobacco leaves and callus by glycidate, an inhibitor of photorespiration

The effect of glycidate (2,3-epoxypropionate), an inhibitor of glycolate synthesis and photorespiration in leaf tissue, was studied on glutamate:glyoxylate and serine:glyoxylate aminotransferases and glycine decarboxylase activities in particulate preparations obtained from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) callus and leaves. Glycidate specifically and effectively inhibited glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase. The inhibition was dependent on glycidate concentration and, to a lesser extent, on substrate concentration. The enzyme was not protected by either substrate. Even with saturating substrate concentrations the glycidate inhibition was only partially reversed. Under the in vitro assay conditions, glycidate inhibition of the aminotransferase was reversible. Glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase is the only enzyme of the glycolate pathway thus far examined which is severely inhibited by glycidate. However, in leaf discs, pretreatment with glycidate decreased both glutamate:glyoxylate and serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase activities suggesting binding by glycidate in vivo.

Glycidate increased the pool sizes of both glutamate and glyoxylate in leaf discs. It has been shown that increases in concentration of either of these metabolites decrease photorespiration and glycolate synthesis and increase net photosynthesis. It is proposed that glycidate inhibits photorespiration indirectly by increasing the internal concentrations of glutamate and glyoxylate, as a consequence of the inhibition of glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase activity.

     

Mandelic acid chiral separation utilizing a two-phase partitioning bioreactor built by polysulfone microspheres and immobilized enzymes

A novel two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) modified by polysulfone (PSF) microspheres and immobilized enzyme (novozym-435) was formed, and the resulting TPPB was applied into mandelic acid chiral separation. The PSF microspheres containing n-hexanol (named PSF/hexanol microspheres) was prepared by using the phase inversion method, which was used as the organic phase. Meanwhile, the immobilized enzyme novozym-435 was used as a biocatalyst. The water phase was composed of the phosphate buffer solution (PBS). (R, S)-Methyl mandelate was selected as the substrate to study enzymatic properties. Different reaction factors have been researched, such as pH, reaction time, temperature and the quantity of biocatalyst and PSF/hexanol microspheres added in. Finally, (S)-mandelic acid was obtained with an 80 % optical purity after 24 h in the two-phase partitioning bioreactor. The enantiomeric excess (ee_p) values were very low in the water phase, in which the highest ee_p value was only 46 %. The ee_p of the two-phase partitioning bioreactor had been enhanced more obviously than that catalyzed in the water phase.     

(R)-oxynitrilase-catalysed synthesis of chiral silicon-containing aliphatic (R)-ketone-cyanohydrins

Optically active 2-trimethylsilyl-2-hydroxyl-ethylcyanide was prepared by enzymatic enantioselective transcyanation of acetyltrimethylsilane with acetone cyanohydrin in a biphasic system at 35°C and pH 5. (R)-Oxynitrilase from apple seed meal was the best among all the enzymes explored and diisopropyl ether was the most suitable organic phase. Acetyltrimethylsilane was a better substrate of the enzyme than its carbon analogue. The substrate conversion and product enantiomeric excess of 2-trimethylsilyl-2-hydroxyl-ethylcyanide were >99% and >99%, respectively.     

Enantioselective hydrolysis of p-nitrostyrene oxide by an epoxide hydrolase preparation from Aspergillus niger

The epoxide hydrolase activity of Aspergillus niger was synthesized during growth of the fungus and was shown to be associated with the soluble cell fraction. An enzyme preparation was worked out which could be used in place of the whole mycelium as biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of epoxides. The effect of four different cosolvents on enzyme activity was investigated. Consequently, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was selected for epoxide solubilization. The effect of temperature on both reaction rate and enzyme stability was studied in the presence of DMSO (0.2 volume ratio). A temperature of 25 degrees C was selected for the reaction of bioconversion. With a substrate concentration of 4.5 mM a batch reactor showed that the enzyme preparation hydrolyzed para-nitrostyrene oxide with very high enantioselectivity. The (S) enantiomer of the epoxide remained in the reaction mixture and showed an enantiomeric excess higher than 99%. The substrate concentration could be increased to 20 mM without affecting the enantiomeric excess and degree of conversion. Therefore, the method is potentially useful for the preparative resolution of epoxides. Application are in the field of chiral synthons which are important building blocks in organic synthesis. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stereoselective synthesis of caffeic acid amides via enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric aminolysis reaction

In this study, a new method was developed to prepare enantiopure caffeic acid amides by enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric aminolysis reaction. Methoxymethyl chloride (MOMCl) was first introduced as a protective and esterified reagent to obtain the MOM-protected caffeic acid MOM ester 1d. Aminolysis reaction occurred between 1d and (R, S)-α-phenylethylamine in the presence of an immobilized lipase (Novozym 435) from Candida antarctica. Compared with the methyl-protected caffeic acid methyl ester 1c, 1d as substrate improved the lipase-catalyzed reaction rate by 5.5-fold. After Novozym 435-catalyzed aminolysis reaction was established, we evaluated the effects of synthesis parameters on the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity of Novozym 435. A reaction conversion rate of 25.5% and an E value of >100 were achieved under the following optimum conditions: reaction solvent, anhydrous isooctane; reaction temperature, 70 °C; reaction time, 24 h; ester-to-amine substrate molar ratio, 1:40; and enzyme additive amount, 40 mg. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses were conducted to determine the main factors affecting enantiomeric discrimination. Novozym 435 still showed 80% of its initial activity after recycling five times. Highly optically pure caffeic acid amides with an enantiomeric excess of 98.5% were finally obtained by HCl deprotection. The established enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric aminolysis method in this study might be used to prepare other caffeic acid amides.     

Identity of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase with alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase in rat liver cytosol

Rat liver soluble fraction contained 3 forms of alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase. One with a pI of 5.2 and an Mr of approx. 110,000 was found to be identical with cytosolic alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase. The pI 6.0 enzyme with an Mr of approx. 220,000 was suggested to be from broken mitochondrial alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 and the pI 8.0 enzyme with an Mr of approx. 80,000 enzyme from broken peroxisomal and mitochondrial alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 1. These results suggest that the cytosolic alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase activity is due to cytosolic alanine: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase.     

Enzyme catalytic nitration of aromatic compounds

Nitroaromatic compounds are important intermediates in organic synthesis. The classic method used to synthesize them is chemical nitration, which involves the use of nitric acid diluted in water or acetic acid, both harmful to the environment. With the development of green chemistry, environmental friendly enzyme catalysis is increasingly employed in chemical processes. In this work, we adopted a non-aqueous horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/NaNO₂/H₂O₂ reaction system to study the structural characteristics of aromatic compounds potentially nitrated by enzyme catalysis, as well as the relationship between the charges on carbon atoms in benzene ring and the nitro product distribution. Investigation of various reaction parameters showed that mild reaction conditions (ambient temperature and neutral pH), plus appropriate use of H₂O₂ and NaNO₂ could prevent inactivation of HRP and polymerization of the substrates. Compared to aqueous–organic co-solvent reaction media, the aqueous–organic two-liquid phase system had great advantages in increasing the dissolved concentration of substrate and alleviating substrate inhibition. Analysis of the aromatic compounds’ structural characteristics indicated that substrates containing substituents of NH₂ or OH were readily catalyzed. Furthermore, analysis of the relationship between natural bond orbital (NBO) charges on carbon atoms in benzene ring, as calculated by the density functional method, and the nitro product distribution characteristics, demonstrated that the favored nitration sites were the ortho and para positions of substituents in benzene ring, similar to the selectivity of chemical nitration.     

Tricarboxylic acid and glyoxylate cycle enzyme activities in Thiobacillus versutus,an isocitrate lyase negative organism

An analysis was made of the specific enzyme activities of the TCA and glyoxylate cycle in Thiobacillus versutus cells grown in a thiosulphate- or acetate-limited chemostat. Activities of all enzymes of the TCA cycle were detected, irrespective of the growth substrate and they were invariably lower in the thiosulphate-grown cells. Of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes, isocitrate lyase was absent but malate synthase activity was increased from 15 nmol·min^-1·mg^-1 protein in thiosulphate-grown cells to 58 nmol·min^-1·mg^-1 protein in acetate-grown cells. Suspensions of cells grown on thiosulphate were able to oxidize acetate, although the rate was 3 times lower than that observed with acetate-grown cells. The respiration of acetate was completely inhibited by 10 mM fluoroacetate or 5 mM arsenite. Partially purified citrate synthase from both thiosulphate- and acetate-grown cells was completely inhibited by 0.5 mM NADH and was insensitive to inhibition by 1 mM 2-oxoglutarate or 1 mM ATP. The specific enzyme activities of the TCA and glyoxylate cycle in T. versutus were compared with those of Pseudomonas fluorescens, an isocitrate lyase positive organism, after growth in a chemostat limited by acetate, glutarate, succinate or glutamate. The response of the various enzyme activities to a change in substrate was similar in both organisms, with the exception of isocitrate lyase.Abbreviations TCA tricarboxylic acid - DNTB 2,2-dinitro-5,5-dithiobenzoic acid - APAD acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide - PMS phenazine methosulphate - DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol - DOC dissolved organic carbon     

Chemoenzymatic Route for the Synthesis of (S)‐Moprolol,a Potential β‐Blocker

A biocatalytic route for the synthesis of a potential β‐blocker, (S)‐moprolol is reported here. Enantiopure synthesis of moprolol is mainly dependent on the chiral intermediate, 3‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)‐propane‐1,2‐diol. Various commercial lipases were screened for the enantioselective resolution of (RS)‐3‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)propane‐1,2‐diol to produce the desired enantiomer. Among them, Aspergillus niger lipase (ANL) was selected on the basis of both stereo‐ and regioselectivity. The optimized values of various reaction parameters were determined such as enzyme (15 mg/mL), substrate concentration (10 mM), organic solvent (toluene), reaction temperature (30 °C), and time (18 h).The optimized conditions led to achieving >49% yield with high enantiomeric excess of (S)‐3‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)propane‐1,2‐diol. The lipase‐mediated catalysis showed regioselective acylation with dual stereoselectivity. Further, the enantiopure intermediate was used for the synthesis of (S)‐moprolol, which afforded the desired β‐blocker. Chirality 28:313–318, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Identification of the stereochemical requirements in the 4-aryl-2-cycloalkylidenhydrazinylthiazole scaffold for the design of selective human monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

Exploring the effect that substituents on the cycloaliphatic ring had on the inhibitory activity against human monoamine oxidase B of a series of 4-aryl-2-cycloalkylidenhydrazinylthiazoles led to the synthesis of a new series of 2-methylcyclopentyl and 3-methylcyclopentyl derivatives which were tested in vitro as mixtures of diastereoisomers. In fact, due to the presence of a chiral center on the cycloaliphatic ring and a trisubstituted CN bond, they exist as four diastereoisomers ((E)-(R), (E)-(S), (Z)-(R), (Z)-(S)). 4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-(2-(3-methylcyclopentylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole was chosen as a model to investigate the influence of stereochemical requirements on the inhibitory activity against hMAO-B of these derivatives after a stereoconservative synthesis and semi-preparative HPLC diastereoseparation. (R)-(Z) isomer of this compound was endowed with a potent and selective hMAO-B inhibition higher than that of reference drugs as also corroborated by molecular modeling studies.