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Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
Directed Evolution of a Nonheme Iron Enzyme to Access Chiral α-Amino Acid Derivatives by 1,3-Migratory Nitrene
Minghui Cheng1, Tao Li1, Yamei Gan1
1School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
Abstract:
Nonheme iron enzymes are among nature's most versatile catalysts for molecular functionalization. Engineering nonheme enzymes for abiological reactions unlocks new catalytic possibilities beyond the limits of natural evolution. In this work, we engineered a nonheme enzyme, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtLDOX), to catalyze an asymmetric 1,3-migratory nitrene C(sp3)─H insertion reaction. Through directed evolution, the final optimized AtLDOX_LS variant efficiently delivers a range of chiral α-amino acids derivatives with exceptional activity and enantioselectivity (up to 81% yield, 850 total turnover number, and 98:2 enantiomeric ratio). Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest the involvement of radical intermediates for this transformation. This work advances the biocatalytic toolbox for radical involved transformations and broadens the scope of enzymatic migration chemistry.
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