Carboligase side-reaction

Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, E.C. 4.1.1.1) accepts other substrates besides pyruvate, its natural reactant As early as 1921, Neubergand Hirsch described the reaction of yeast with benzaldehyde and pyruvate to phenylacetylcarbinol (2-keto-3-hydroxy-propylbenzene) (Neuberg, 1921) in a carboligase side reaction which yields ephedrine after reaction with methylamine and catalytic hydrogenation (Figure 7.37). 

Scheme 5 Carboligase side reactions on YPDC and other 2-oxoacid decarboxyiases.

In order to increase the understanding of ThDP-dependent enzymes, the identification of amino acid side chains important for the catalysis of the carboligase reaction in pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mohilis (E.C. 4.1.1.1) and benzoylformate decarboxylase from Pseudomonasputida (E.C. 4.1.1.7) was a major task. Using site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution, various enzyme variants were obtained, differing in substrate specificity and enantioselectivity. 

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