Separating Thermodynamics from Kinetics-A New Understanding of the Transketolase Reaction

Transketolase catalyzes asymmetric C-C bond formation of two highly polar compounds. Over the last 30 years, the reaction has unanimously been described in literature as irreversible because of the concomitant release of CO₂ if using lithium hydroxypyruvate (LiHPA) as a substrate. Following the reaction over a longer period of time however, we have now found it to be initially kinetically controlled. Contrary to previous suggestions, for the non-natural conversion of synthetically more interesting apolar substrates, the complete change of active-site polarity is therefore not necessary. From docking studies it was revealed that water and hydrogen-bond networks are essential for substrate binding, thus allowing aliphatic aldehydes to be converted in the charged active site of transketolase.