Cytochrome P450 CYP199A4 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris Catalyzes Heteroatom Dealkylations, Sulfoxidation, and Amide and Cyclic Hemiacetal Formation

Abstract

The cytochrome P450 enzymes execute a range of selective oxidative biotransformations across many biological systems. The bacterial enzyme CYP199A4 catalyzes the oxidative demethylation of 4-methoxybenzoic acid. The benzoic acid moiety of the molecule binds in the active site of the enzyme such that the functional group at the para-position is held close to the heme iron. Therefore, CYP199A4 has the potential to catalyze alternative monooxygenase reactions with different para-substituted benzoic acid substrates such as thioethers and alkylamines. The oxidation of 4-methyl- and 4-ethyl-thiobenzoic acids by CYP199A4 resulted in sulfur oxidation. 4-Ethylthiobenzoic acid sulfoxidation and 4-ethylbenzoic acid hydroxylation by CYP199A4 occurred with high enantioselectivity (>74% enantiomeric excess). By way of contrast, CYP199A4 catalyzed exclusive oxidative N-demethylation over N-oxide formation with 4-methyl- and 4-dimethylaminobenzoic acids. Unexpectedly acetamide formation by CYP199A4 competes with dealkyla...