Asymmetric bioreduction of keto groups of 4- and 5-Oxodecanoic acids/esters with a new carbonyl reductase

Abstract

A novel carbonyl reductase from Serratia marcescens, SmCR, was successfully cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. SmCR could catalyze the asymmetric reduction of long-chain keto acids/esters containing remote carbonyl groups, such as 4-oxo- and 5-oxodecanoic acids, yielding chiral γ- and δ-decalactones with high enantiopurity (up to 99% ee). This is the first report of enzymatic synthesis of (R)-γ- and (R)-δ-decalactones starting from γ-, δ-keto acids using free enzymes.