A synthetic biology approach for the transformation of l-α-amino acids to the corresponding enantiopure (R)- or (S)-α-hydroxy acids

Chem Commun (Camb). 2015 Feb 18;51(14):2828-31. doi: 10.1039/c4cc08286a.

Abstract

Combinatorial assembly and variation of promoters on a single expression plasmid allowed the balance of the catalytic steps of a three enzyme (l-AAD, HIC, FDH) cascade in E. coli. The designer cell catalyst quantitatively transformed l-amino acids to the corresponding optically pure (R)- and (S)-α-hydroxy acids at up to 200 mM substrate concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism*
  • Biocatalysis
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Hydroxy Acids / chemistry*
  • Hydroxy Acids / metabolism*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Synthetic Biology*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Hydroxy Acids