Lipases fromRhizomucor miehei andHumicola lanuginosa: Modification of the lid covering the active site alters enantioselectivity

The homologous lipases fromRhizomucor miehei andHumicola lanuginosa showed approximately the same enantioselectivity when 2-methyldecanoic acid esters were used as substrates. Both lipases preferentially hydrolyzed theS-enantiomer of 1-heptyl 2-methyldecanoate (R. miehei:E _S =8.5;H. lanuginosa:E _S =10.5), but theR-enantiomer of phenyl 2-methyldecanoate (E _R =2.9). Chemical arginine specific modification of theR. miehei lipase with 1,2-cyclohexanedione resulted in a decreased enantioselectivity (E _R =2.0), only when the phenyl ester was used as a substrate. In contrast, treatment with phenylglyoxal showed a decreased enantioselectivity (E _S =2.5) only when the heptyl ester was used as a substrate. The presence of guanidine, an arginine side chain analog, decreased the enantioselectivity with the heptyl ester (E _S =1.9) and increased the enantioselectivity with the aromatic ester (E _R =4.4) as substrates. The mutation, Glu 87 Ala, in the lid of theH. lanuginosa lipase, which might decrease the electrostatic stabilization of the open-lid conformation of the lipase, resulted in 47% activity compared to the native lipase, in a tributyrin assay. The Glu 87 Ala mutant showed an increased enantioselectivity with the heptyl ester (E _S =17.4) and a decreased enantioselectivity with the phenyl ester (E _R =2.5) as substrates, compared to native lipase. The enantioselectivities of both lipases in the esterification of 2-methyldecanoic acid with 1-heptanol were unaffected by the lid modifications.     

Two-step enzymatic selective synthesis of water-soluble ketoprofen–saccharide conjugates in organic media

Ketoprofen–saccharide conjugates were synthesized by selectively enzymatic hydrolysis and acylation. Firstly, the (S)-ketoprofen vinyl ester was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of (R,S)-ketoprofen vinyl ester. Then enzymatic transesterification of (S)-ketoprofen vinyl ester with a series of saccharides were performed by the catalysis of a commercial protease from Bacillus licheniformis (BLP) in organic medium mixture of pyridine and tert-butanol. The ketoprofen was selectively conjugated onto the primary hydroxyl group of saccharides and with high yield after 72 h. Partition coefficient determination showed that all the products have better water solubility than parent ketoprofen. Chemical hydrolysis experiment indicated that 50% ketoprofen could be release from ketoprofen glucoside and maltoside in aqueous buffer (pH 7.4) within 48 h.     

Lipases fromRhizomucor miehei andHumicola lanuginosa: Modification of the lid covering the active site alters enantioselectivity

The homologous lipases fromRhizomucor miehei andHumicola lanuginosa showed approximately the same enantioselectivity when 2-methyldecanoic acid esters were used as substrates. Both lipases preferentially hydrolyzed theS-enantiomer of 1-heptyl 2-methyldecanoate (R. miehei:E _S =8.5;H. lanuginosa:E _S =10.5), but theR-enantiomer of phenyl 2-methyldecanoate (E _R =2.9). Chemical arginine specific modification of theR. miehei lipase with 1,2-cyclohexanedione resulted in a decreased enantioselectivity (E _R =2.0), only when the phenyl ester was used as a substrate. In contrast, treatment with phenylglyoxal showed a decreased enantioselectivity (E _S =2.5) only when the heptyl ester was used as a substrate. The presence of guanidine, an arginine side chain analog, decreased the enantioselectivity with the heptyl ester (E _S =1.9) and increased the enantioselectivity with the aromatic ester (E _R =4.4) as substrates. The mutation, Glu 87 Ala, in the lid of theH. lanuginosa lipase, which might decrease the electrostatic stabilization of the open-lid conformation of the lipase, resulted in 47% activity compared to the native lipase, in a tributyrin assay. The Glu 87 Ala mutant showed an increased enantioselectivity with the heptyl ester (E _S =17.4) and a decreased enantioselectivity with the phenyl ester (E _R =2.5) as substrates, compared to native lipase. The enantioselectivities of both lipases in the esterification of 2-methyldecanoic acid with 1-heptanol were unaffected by the lid modifications.     

Microbial Resolution of 1-Phenoxy-2-propanol by Stereospecific Decomposition and Asymmetric Hydrolysis of 1-Phenoxy-2-propyl Acetate

We screened microorganisms for those that resolved a stereoisomer from rac-1-phenoxy-2-propyl acetate (PPAc). Several species of Nocardia and Rhodococcus hydrolyzed rac-PPAc to rac-1-phenoxy-2-propanol (PPol), and then selectively decomposed an isomer of PPol, leading to an accumulation of (R)-PPol. Several yeasts and bacteria hydrolyzed PPAc asymmetrically, affording (R)-PPol and the ester of (S)-PPol. An enzyme that catalyzed the asymmetric hydrolysis of PPAc was partially purified from Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13059 and characterized. The enzymatic hydrolysis was highly specific for (R)-PPAc.     

The influence of cosolvent concentration on enzymatic kinetic resolution of trans-2-phenyl-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid derivatives

A method to improve the enantioselectivity of lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution (KR) of trans-2-phenyl-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid derivatives in water–acetone solution is presented. Two different approaches were compared: enzyme-catalyzed esterification and enzymatic hydrolysis of the target ester. A substantial influence of enzyme type, ethoxy group donor, and solvent on conversion and enantioselectivity of the enzymatic esterification was noted. While enzymatic esterification proceeds with poor enantioselectivity, the hydrolysis of target ester proceeds efficiently. Studies on the influence of cosolvent used for the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction showed that kinetic resolution can be performed in acetone and water buffer mixture predominantly containing organic solvent. Any change in organic solvent content resulted in a substantial decrease in enantioselectivity from almost E = 150 to less than 5.     

Enantioselective Hydrolysis of α-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl Acetate with Arthvobacter Lipase

Lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of the acetic ester of racemic α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol (CPBA) was examined to prepare (S)-CPBA. Most of the lipases tested hydrolyzed (S)-CPBA acetate preferentially, while Candida cylindracea lipase favored (R)-CPBA acetate. Enantioselective hydrolysis by Arthrobacter lipase gave the optically pure (S)-CPBA in the reaction mixture of pH 4.0. The kinetic studies showed that (R)-CPBA acetate reacted as a competitive inhibitor. The Arthrobacter lipase solution in the water/oil biphasic reaction system could be used repeatedly. The lipase immobilized to resins had insufficient activity or low operational stability for the repeated batch reaction. The unhydrolyzed (R)-CPBA acetate was racemized by heating with triethylamine and could be reused as the substrate of the enzymatic hydrolysis. A chemico-enzymatic process for the preparation of (S)-CPBA was developed based on these studies.     

Optical resolution of racemic pantolactone with a novel fungal enzyme,lactonohydrolase

A novel enzymatic process for the optical resolution of racemic pantolactone through the stereo-specific hydrolysis of d-pantolactone by lactonohydrolase of Fusarium oxysporum is described. F. oxysporum cells were found to catalyze the stereoselective hydrolysis of the d-enantiomer of racemic pantolactone. With 135 g/l dl-pantolactone as the substrate, 41% was hydrolyzed and pantoic acid with an optical purity of 90% enantiomeric excess (for d-pantoic acid) was formed.     

Enzymatic production of enantiopure ketoprofen in a solvent-free two-phase system

Enzymatic hydrolysis conducted in a medium composed of solely substrate is considered to resolve racemic ketoprofen esters. In a system composed of two components, the pure liquid substrate (organic phase) and water (aqueous phase), hydrolysis products can be efficiently removed from the reaction mixtures. Accordingly, in this study we designed a solvent-free two-phase system for the enantioselective enzymatic hydrolysis of ketoprofen esters. In order to further optimize this system, the influences of various factors, such as the pH of the aqueous phase, temperature, enzyme content, and the alcohol chain length of esters, were examined on conversion and enantiomeric excess. 1N NaHCO₃ was identified as the most efficient aqueous phase for the extraction of ketoprofen. Changes in the amount of enzyme did not significantly affect the maximum conversion or the enantiomeric excess. On the other hand, ketoprofen esters with shorter alcohol chains displayed higher initial reaction rates and conversions in solventless media. In the case of ketoprofen propyl ester, for example, the productivity of the solvent-free two-phase system was about 10–100 times higher than that obtained to date for ketoprofen esterification with alcohols in organic solvents. The enantioselectivities obtained in solvent-free media were similar to those obtained for the enantioselective esterification of ketoprofen in organic solvents.     

Significantly improved esterase activity of Trichosporon brassicae cells for ketoprofen resolution by 2-propanol treatment

The kinetic resolution of racemic ketoprofen was carried out by enantioselective hydrolysis of ketoprofen ethyl ester using intact cells of Trichosporon brassicae CGMCC0574 as a biocatalyst. After the yeast cells were pretreated by 2 vol.% of 2-propanol for 10 h, the esterase activity on the (S)-ketoprofen ester increased dramatically, by a factor of ca. 310% without reducing the enantioselectivity of enzymatic resolution.     

Optimization for two-step biochemical kinetic resolution of enantiomers

A method is presented to optimize the two-step biochemical kinetic resolution of enantiomers. The optimization results were verified experimentally via the enantioselective hydrolysis of ketoprofen methyl ester and the enantioselective esterification of ketoprofen.     

A Facile Method for Preparation of Polymerizable, Optically Active Ketoprofen Prodrug by Irreversible Lipase-catalysed Resolution

Summary An irreversible resolution of ketoprofen prodrug was developed by lipase-catalysed hydrolysis using corresponding vinyl ester as activated substrate in organic medium. The product obtained, (S)-ketoprofen vinyl ester would be used as a potential prodrug and a significant monomer for polymeric drug. Lipozyme^? immobilized from Mucor miehei showed the highest selectivity and activity after enzyme screening. The effect of solvent, water amount in the reaction medium and reaction temperature on the activity and enantioselectivity of Lipozyme^? was studied. Polymerizable, optically active ketoprofen prodrug could be obtained with excellent enantioselectivity (ee >99%, E ~ 400) in a mixture of dioxane/water (97.5/2.5, v/v) at 25 °C.     

Synthesis of the (9R,13R)-isomer of LDS1, a flower-inducing oxylipin isolated from Lemna paucicostata

The first synthesis of the (9R,13R)-stereoisomer of LDS1, a flower-inducing oxylipin isolated from Lemna paucicostata, has been achieved from a known allylic alcohol by a seven-step sequence that involves the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination to construct its full carbon framework and an enzymatic hydrolysis of a penultimate methyl ester intermediate to provide the target molecule.     

Isolation and characterization of Acinetobacter sp. ES-1 excreting a lipase with high enantioselectivity for (S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester

A new Acinetobacter sp. ES-1, grown on triolein, tryptone and Triton X-100, excreted a lipase that hydrolyzed 10m M (R,S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester into (S)-ketoprofen. The crude lipase had an activity of 10Uml^-1 and, at 30°C and pH7 over 48h, gave a conversion yield of 35% with an enantiomeric excess for the product 96%.     

Enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis of the diesters of cis- and trans-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids

Summary Pig liver esterase (EC 3.1.1.1) catalyzed hydrolysis of the dimetrhy ester of meso-cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid yielded the optically pure (1S,2R)-monoester. The corresponding diethyl ester yielded racemic monoester.The diethyl ester of racemic trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid was kinetically resolved by partial hydrolysis with subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.14) or pig liver esterase. The (1R,2R)-monoester had an enantiomeric excess of 45% and was obtained in an enantiomerically pure form through recrystallisation. The remaining (1S,2S)-diester exhibited an enantiomeric excess of 83%. The nature of the ester function (methyl, ethyl, and propyl esters) had a great influence on the enantiomeric excess obtained and on the kinetic parameters.     

Reaction conditions for the resolution of 2-methylalkanoic acids in esterification and hydrolysis with lipase from Candida cylindracea

Summary We have demonstrated resolution of 2-methylalkanoic acids using lipase from Candida cylindracea as a catalyst. The resolution of 2-methyldecanoic acid was more successful than that of 2-methylbutyric acid both by esterification and hydrolysis. This indicates that the resolution of the acid is dependent on the chain length of the acid moiety. The chain length of the alcohol moiety of the ester affected the resolution of the long-chain acid only. Using esterification, (R)-2-methyldecanoic acid was produced in an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of 95% (E = 40). If the enantiomeric ratio is low (E = 3.6), as in the resolution of 2-methylbutyric acid, esterification combined with a high equilibrium conversion could be used to yield the remaining acid in a high e.e. In the hydrolytic reactions, the e.e and the equilibrium conversion were dependent on the pH and the presence of CaCl₂. When octyl 2-methyldecanoate was hydrolysed at pH 8.0 in the presence of CaCl₂, the (S)-acid was formed with an e.e. of 80% (E = 9), but when the hydrolysis was carried out at pH 7.5 without CaCl₂, a very low e.e. and a low equilibrium conversion were observed. The latter conditions allowed the esterification of 2-methyldecanoic acid with 1-octanol even in aqueous medium. Offprint requests to: K. Hult     

Microbial catalyzed esterification of primary and secondary alcohols in organic solvent

Summary Microbial esterification of primary and secondary short chain alcohols with butyric acid in organic solvent has been studied. A screening for 2-octylbutyrate hydrolysis between microorganisms belonging to different genera allowed the selection of 12 microbial strains able to hydrolyze this substrate. The potential of these microorganisms in catalyzing ester formation was checked for various 1- and 2-alkylbutyrate derivatives:Rhizopus delemar,Rhizopus oryzae andSarcina lutea promoted both 1- and 2-alkylbutyrate synthesis with almost complete molar conversion of the primary alcohols, whileAspergillus niger andYarrowia lipolytica only catalyzed 1-alkanol esterification.     

Application of immobilized aminoacylase from Micrococcus agilis for isolation of D-phenylglycine from its racemic mixture

The procedure for isolation of D -phenylglycine from its racemic mixture by enzymatic hydrolysis of L -enantiomer of N-acetyl-D ,L -phenylglycine is described. For this hydrolysis. aminoacylase from Micrococcus agilis immobilized by sorption of DEAE-cellulose was applied. As is also shown, the course of enzymatic reaction can be directly controlled by spectrophotometric method.     

Biocatalytic production of enantiopure cyclohexane-trans-1,2-diol using extracellular lipases from Bacillus subtilis

Two extracellular lipases from Bacillus subtilis, B. subtilis lipase A and lipase B, have been expressed in the heterologous host Escherichia coli, biochemically characterized and used for the kinetic resolution of (rac)-trans-1,2-diacetoxycyclohexane. Both enzymes were selectively acting on the (R,R)-enantiomer of the racemic substrate, highly specifically hydrolyzing only one of the two ester groups present, thus allowing the preparation of enantiopure (R,R)- and (S,S)-cyclohexane-trans-1,2-diol. The reaction conditions for the use of purified enzyme and crude cell lyophilizate were optimized and reactions in batch and repetitive batch modes were carried out on a preparative scale to yield enantiopure product (>99% enantiomeric excess).     

Enhanced Resolution of a Secondary Alcohol by Hydrolysis of a Bichiral Ester Catalyzed by Lipase from Candida cylindracea

The effect of a chiral centre in the acyl group on the resolution of esters prepared from a racemic alcohol was investigated. R-2-chloropropionic acid afforded a higher enantiomeric ratio than S-2-chioropropionic acid in the hydrolysis of the corresponding esters of racemic 1-phenylethanol catalyzed by Candida cylindracea lipase. Even when a mixture of esters prepared from racemic acid and racemic alcohol was used for resolution of the alcohol, a noteworthy high enantioselectivity was observed. The hydrolysis of a bichiral ester offers an amplification in the resolution of enantiomers of alcohols by the combination of a chemical diastereoselectivity and an enzymatic enantio- and diastereoselectivity.     

Cloning,screening and characterization of enantioselective ester hydrolases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> K-12

Thirty-one ester hydrolases were cloned from Escherichia coli K-12 and an efficient screening strategy was applied to screen and characterize them, emphasizing on their enantioselectivity. We are the first to investigate the enantioselectivity of these enzymes, although their activity had been reported by other researchers. The enzyme XL3 from gene b0349, XL10 from gene b0494, XL15 from gene b3412, XL27 from gene b2154 and XL31 from gene b3825 exhibited high activity towards p-nitrophenyl esters with short chain. The enzyme XL15 from gene b3412 was demonstrated for the first time to show high enantioselectivity to (R)-1-phenylethyl acetate both in hydrolysis and esterification with enantioselectivity value (E) > 100 at the conversion of 31.2 and 36.8%, respectively.