Asymmetric bioreduction of β-ketoesters derivatives by Kluyveromyces marxianus: influence of molecular structure on the conversion and enantiomeric excess

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Jul-Sep;89(3):1403-1415. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720170118. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Abstract

This study presents the bioreduction of six β-ketoesters by whole cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus and molecular investigation of a series of 13 β-ketoesters by hologram quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR) in order to relate with conversion and enantiomeric excess of β-stereogenic-hydroxyesters obtained by the same methodology. Four of these were obtained as (R)-configuration and two (S)-configuration, among them four compounds exhibited >99% enantiomeric excess. The β-ketoesters series LUMO maps showed that the β-carbon of the ketoester scaffold are exposed to undergo nucleophilic attack, suggesting a more favorable β-carbon side to enzymatic reduction based on adopted molecular conformation at the reaction moment. The HQSAR method was performed on the β-ketoesters derivatives separating them into those provided predominantly (R)- or (S)-β-hydroxyesters. The HQSAR models for both (R)- and (S)-configuration showed high predictive capacity. The HQSAR contribution maps suggest the importance of β-ketoesters scaffold as well as the substituents attached therein to asymmetric reduction, showing a possible influence of the ester group carbonyl position on the molecular conformation in the enzyme catalytic site, exposing a β-carbon side to the bioconversion to (S)- and (R)-enantiomers.

MeSH terms

  • Biotransformation
  • Esters / chemistry*
  • Ketones / chemistry*
  • Kluyveromyces / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Esters
  • Ketones