Volume 47, Issue 46 pp. 8782-8793
Minireview

Enantiocomplementary Enzymes: Classification, Molecular Basis for Their Enantiopreference, and Prospects for Mirror-Image Biotransformations

Paul F. Mugford Dr.

Paul F. Mugford Dr.

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics and the Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (USA), Fax: (+1) 612-625-5780

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Ulrike G. Wagner Dr.

Ulrike G. Wagner Dr.

Department of Chemistry, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, 8010 Graz (Austria), Fax: (+43) 316-380-9840

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Yun Jiang

Yun Jiang

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics and the Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (USA), Fax: (+1) 612-625-5780

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Kurt Faber Prof. Dr.

Kurt Faber Prof. Dr.

Department of Chemistry, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, 8010 Graz (Austria), Fax: (+43) 316-380-9840

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Romas J. Kazlauskas Prof.

Romas J. Kazlauskas Prof.

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics and the Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (USA), Fax: (+1) 612-625-5780

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First published: 28 October 2008
Citations: 111

Graphical Abstract

Enzyme pairs that catalyze the same reaction but favor opposite enantiomers are known as enantiocomplementary enzymes (see scheme). To create mirror-image active sites, nature can switch the locations of binding sites and/or the locations of key catalytic groups. In this Minireview, X-ray crystal structures of enantiocomplementary enzymes are surveyed and classified into four groups.

Abstract

One often-cited weakness of biocatalysis is the lack of mirror-image enzymes for the formation of either enantiomer of a product in asymmetric synthesis. Enantiocomplementary enzymes exist as the solution to this problem in nature. These enzyme pairs, which catalyze the same reaction but favor opposite enantiomers, are not mirror-image molecules; however, they contain active sites that are functionally mirror images of one another. To create mirror-image active sites, nature can change the location of the binding site and/or the location of key catalytic groups. In this Minireview, X-ray crystal structures of enantiocomplementary enzymes are surveyed and classified into four groups according to how the mirror-image active sites are formed.

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