Nitrile-converting enzymes aromatic

Fig. 12), and (5)-ketoprofen (Fig. 28) are the most successfully introduced chemotherapeutic agents. Suitable enantioselective nitrile-converting enzymes have often been found, presumably in part due to the aromatic moiety of profens supporting enantiospecific recognition. 

Nitrilase [EC 3.5.5.1], also known as nitrile aminohy-drolase and nitrile hydratase, catalyzes the hydrolysis of a nitrile to produce a carboxylate and ammonia. The enzyme acts on a wide range of aromatic nitriles. Nitrile hydratase [EC 4.2.1.84], also known as nitrilase, catalyzes the hydrolysis of a nitrile to produce an aliphatic amide. The enzyme acts on short-chain aliphatic nitriles, converting them into the corresponding acid amides. However, this particular enzyme does not further hydrolyze these amide products nor does the enzyme act on aromatic nitriles. 

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