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Synfacts 2006(10): 1068-1068  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949379
Organo- and Biocatalysis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Biocatalytic Synthesis of d-Amino Acids

Contributor(s): Benjamin List, Daniela Kampen
K. Vedha-Peters, M. Gunawardana, J. D. Rozzell, S. J. Novick*
Biocatalytics, Inc., Pasadena, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
21 September 2006 (online)

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Significance

A biocatalytic asymmetric approach to unnatural α-amino acids has been described. Directed evolution using both rational and random mutagenesis and screening from wild-type enzyme meso-diaminopimelate d-dehydrogenase (DAPDH) has provided d-amino acid dehydrogenase BC621 (1). This mutant mediates the reductive amination of 2-keto acids 2 with ammonia and NADPH as cofactor to give d-amino acids 3 in excellent enantioselectivities. Linear and branched alkyl substrates, as well as aryl precursors can be used.