Engineering 2-Deoxy-D-ribose-5-phosphate Aldolase for anti- and syn-Selective Epoxidations of alpha , beta-Unsaturated Aldehydes.
Zhou, H., Kunzendorf, A., Xu, G., Frietema, H.O.T., Thunnissen, A.W.H., Poelarends, G.J.(2025) Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 64: e202503054-e202503054
- PubMed: 39993220 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202503054
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
9FD7, 9FD8, 9FD9 - PubMed Abstract: 
The enzyme 2-deoxy-D-ribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA) naturally catalyzes the reversible aldol addition between acetaldehyde and D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to yield 2-deoxy-D-ribose-5-phosphate. Herein we describe the redesign of DERA into a proficient non-natural peroxygenase that promotes the asymmetric epoxidation of various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. This repurposed aldolase, named DERA-EP, is able to utilize H 2 O 2 to accomplish both anti- and syn-selective epoxidations of various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to give the corresponding epoxides with moderate to high diastereoselectivity (diastereomeric ratio up to 99 : 1) and excellent enantioselectivity (enantiomeric ratio up to 99 : 1). Crystallographic analysis of DERA-EP in a substrate-free and substrate-bound state provides a structural context for the evolved activity, a clear explanation for the high enantioselectivity, and compelling evidence for catalysis via enzyme-bound iminium ion intermediates. The unprecedented anti-selectivity of DERA-EP with multiple α,β-unsaturated aldehydes is complementary to the syn-selectivity of previously reported enzyme-, metal- and organo-catalysts, making DERA-EP an attractive new asset to the toolbox of epoxidation catalysts.
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The, Netherlands.
Organizational Affiliation: