Enzymes Rhodococcus equi

A few synthetic applications for obtaining biologically active compounds have been described, based on the use of these bacterial enzymes. For instance, the pheromone (S)-frontalin was synthesized in five steps in 94% ee (but rather low overall yield) via a chemoenzymatic route implying epoxide resolution using lyophilized cells oi Rhodococcus equi [189] (Fig. 16). 

The amide unit to be cleaved by an enzyme can also be part of a cyclic system thus lactams can also be hydrolysed selectively using enzymes or micro-organisms. For example, the y-lactam (22) (Scheme 3.14) is hydrolysed enantiospecifically by an amidase in Rhodococcus equi to give the amino... 

The bicyclic y-lactam shown in Scheme 2.19 is an important starting material for the production of antiviral agents, such as Carbovir and Abacavir. It can be efficiently resolved using enantiocomplementary y-lactamases from microbial sources an enzyme from Rhodococcus equi produced the (5)-configurated amino acid (plus enantiomeric non-converted lactam), and another lactamase isolated... 

D. Kubac, A. Cejkova, J. Masak, V. Jirku, M. Lemaire, E. Gallienne, ). Bolte, R. Stioukal, L. Martinkova, Biotransformation of nitriles by Rhodococcus equi A4 immobilized in LentiKats, 1. Mol. Catal. B Enzym. 39 (2006) 59-61. 

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