L-threonine aldolase in organic synthesis: Preparation of novel β-hydroxy-α-amino acids

Abstract

The L-threonine aldolase from Candida humicola was used in the synthesis of multifunctional β-hydroxy-α-amino acids. Of many aldehydes with different substituents tested as substrates for reaction with glycine, benzyloxy- and alkoxy-aldehydes are found to be good substrates, providing a new synthetic route to α-amino-β,ω-dihydroxy and α,ω-diamino-β-hydroxy acids. The enzymatic reactions are not stereospecific regarding the new stereocenter formed at the β-carbon, though they all give L-α-amino acids.