Stereospecific Preparation of an Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonist with d-Hydantoinase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a Biocatalyst

Extracts of Agrobacterium tumefaciens were used to mediate the stereospecific conversion of a racemic hydantoin to a carbamyl d-amino acid derivative, which is a precursor to (2R,4R,5S)-2-amino-4,5-(1,2-cyclohexyl)-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (ACPA). ACPA has therapeutic value as an excitatory amino acid antagonist.