Stereoselective amino acid synthesis by synergistic photoredox-pyridoxal radical biocatalysis

Science. 2023 Jul 28;381(6656):444-451. doi: 10.1126/science.adg2420. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

Abstract

Developing synthetically useful enzymatic reactions that are not known in biochemistry and organic chemistry is an important challenge in biocatalysis. Through the synergistic merger of photoredox catalysis and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) biocatalysis, we developed a pyridoxal radical biocatalysis approach to prepare valuable noncanonical amino acids, including those bearing a stereochemical dyad or triad, without the need for protecting groups. Using engineered PLP enzymes, either enantiomeric product could be produced in a biocatalyst-controlled fashion. Synergistic photoredox-pyridoxal radical biocatalysis represents a powerful platform with which to discover previously unknown catalytic reactions and to tame radical intermediates for asymmetric catalysis.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids* / biosynthesis
  • Amino Acids* / chemistry
  • Biocatalysis
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate* / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate