NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases for synthesis of chiral amines by asymmetric reductive amination of ketones

Abstract

Asymmetric reductive amination is one of the most important reactions in the preparation of chiral amine pharmaceutical intermediates. Different kinds of enzymes have been applied to the synthesis of chiral amines Among them, the development of reductive amination reactions catalyzed by NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases is attractive, as it would permit a one-step transformation of prochiral ketones into chiral amines with high optical purity. In this review, the recent advances in enzyme structure, catalytic mechanism, protein engineering and the application in reductive amination reactions of NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases, including imine reductase, amino acid dehydrogenase, opine dehydrogenase and reductive aminase, are summarized.