Asymmetric visible-light photobiocatalytic reduction of β-keto esters utilizing the cofactor recycling system in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Abstract

The asymmetric reduction of β-keto esters employing a wild-type strain of cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under illumination of red LED light at 25 °C for 24 h was evaluated. As a result, the corresponding (R)-β-hydroxy esters were obtained as major products. The R-selectivity was shown to increase for bulkier substrates. Moreover, it was also found that the R-selectivity increased with decreasing substrate concentrations. This can be explained by the assumption that the Km value of the R-selective reductase is smaller than that of the S-selective enzyme involved in the reaction. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the R-selective reductase required the light-dependent production of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for effective reaction; however, the S-selective variant did not. Overall, cyanobacterium was employed as a sustainable photobiocatalyst proliferating under illumination of light, while utilizing inorganic salts and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Employing the whole-cell system allowed for the preparation of industrially-important chiral compounds, such as optically active β-hydroxy esters.