Absolute configuration-dependent epoxide formation from isoflavan-4-ol stereoisomers by biphenyl dioxygenase of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain KF707

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011 Mar;89(6):1773-82. doi: 10.1007/s00253-010-2989-1. Epub 2010 Nov 10.

Abstract

Biphenyl dioxygenase from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain KF707 expressed in Escherichia coli was found to exhibit monooxygenase activity toward four stereoisomers of isoflavan-4-ol. LC-MS and LC-NMR analyses of the metabolites revealed that the corresponding epoxides formed between C2' and C3' on the B-ring of each isoflavan-4-ol substrate were the sole products. The relative reactivity of the stereoisomers was found to be in the order: (3S,4S)-cis-isoflavan-4-ol > (3R,4S)-trans-isoflavan-4-ol > (3S,4R)-trans-isoflavan-4-ol > (3R,4R)-cis-isoflavan-4-ol and this likely depended upon the absolute configuration of the 4-OH group on the isoflavanols, as explained by an enzyme-substrate docking study. The epoxides produced from isoflavan-4-ols by P. pseudoalcaligenes strain KF707 were further abiotically transformed into pterocarpan, the molecular structure of which is commonly found as part of plant-protective phytoalexins, such as maackiain from Cicer arietinum and medicarpin from Medicago sativa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Dioxygenases / genetics
  • Dioxygenases / metabolism*
  • Epoxy Compounds / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Isoflavones / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes / enzymology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Isoflavones
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Dioxygenases