Bio-Based Approaches for Selective Cyclization.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
• Natural Product Synthesis

Background:

• Cyclic natural products are vital scaffolds in pharmaceuticals.
• Enzymes are key catalysts for producing these complex molecules with high selectivity.
• Natural product biosynthesis pathways offer diverse chemical structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review enzymes involved in cyclic natural product biosynthesis.
• To highlight therapeutic compounds derived from these natural products.
• To discuss enzyme engineering for pharmaceutical applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of enzymatic cyclization reactions.
• Focus on biochemical methodologies for enzyme discovery and engineering.
• Emphasis on terpene cyclization and Pictet-Spengler reactions.

Main Results:

• Overview of naturally occurring cyclic compounds and their enzymatic production.
• Discussion of engineered enzymes for tailored therapeutic compound synthesis.
• Highlighting specific examples of enzyme-catalyzed cyclizations.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatic cyclization is a powerful strategy for generating novel pharmaceutical scaffolds.
• Enzyme engineering holds significant potential for developing new medicines.
• Further research into natural catalysts can unlock new therapeutic avenues.