Biosynthesis of (2)H-Labeled Phenylalanine by a New Methylotrophic Mutant Brevibacterium methylicum

The biosynthesis of (2)H-labeled phenylalanine was done by converse of low molecular weight substrates ([U-(2)H]methanol and (2)H2O) in a new RuMP facultative methylotrophic mutant Brevibacterium methylicum. To make the process work, adapted cells with improved growth characteristics were used on minimal medium M9 with the maximum content of (2)H-labeled substrates. Alanine, valine, and leucine/isoleucine were produced and accumulated exogeneously in addition to the main product of biosynthesis. Electron impact mass spectrometry of methyl esters of the N-Dns-amino acid mixture obtained after the chemical derivatization of growth medium with dansyl chloride and diazomethane, was done to calculate the deuterium enrichment of the amino acids synthesized. The experimental data testified to the character of labeling of amino acid molecules as heterogeneous; however, high levels of deuterium enrichment were detected in all presented molecules-for phenylalanine the enrichment was six, leucine/isoleucine-five, valine-five, and alanine-three deuterium atoms.