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Controllable stereoinversion in DNA-catalyzed olefin cyclopropanation via cofactor modification
Jingya Hao1,2, Wenhui Miao1,2, Shengmei Lu1
1State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongshan Road 457 Dalian 116023 China canli@dicp.ac.cn.
Researchers engineered G-quadruplex DNA biocatalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation, achieving high enantioselectivity (+91% ee) and controllable stereoinversion (-72% ee) by modifying the metal-cofactor. This advances DNA catalysis engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and DNA nanotechnology
- Asymmetric synthesis and organometallic chemistry
Background:
- DNA-metal complexes show potential as biocatalysts for asymmetric reactions.
- Current limitations include low enantioselectivity and challenges in stereocontrol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer G-quadruplex-based DNA biocatalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation.
- To achieve high enantioselectivity and controllable stereoinversion.
- To investigate the role of cofactor modification in DNA catalysis.
Main Methods:
- Engineering of G-quadruplex DNA structures with metal-complex cofactors.
- Performance evaluation in asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions.
- Structural and binding studies using circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, and fluorescence titration.
Main Results:
- Achieved up to +91% enantiomeric excess (eetrans) in asymmetric cyclopropanation.
- Demonstrated controllable stereoinversion, switching enantioselectivity to -72% eetrans via Fe-porphyrin cofactor modification.
- Identified synergistic effects between the porphyrin ligand and DNA residues in regulating enantioselectivity.
Conclusions:
- Cofactor modification is crucial for regulating enantioselectivity in DNA biocatalysts.
- Rational engineering of DNA-based biocatalysts can be achieved through cofactor tuning.
- This work provides a foundation for developing advanced DNA catalysts for asymmetric synthesis.
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