Biotechnological Development of a Practical Synthesis of Ethyl (S)-2-Ethoxy-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propanoate (EEHP): Over 100-Fold Productivity Increase from Yeast Whole Cells to Recombinant Isolated Enzymes
摘要:
The coupling of the enantioselective reduction catalyzed by Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs), together with the in situ substrate feeding product removal (SFPR) concept, significantly improved the productivity of the g-scale preparation of ethyl (S)-2ethoxy-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propanoate (EEHP), an important precursor of several PPAR-alpha/gamma agonists, such as Tesaglitazar. The OYEs and the glucose dehydrogenase for cofactor regeneration were cloned, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and purified. The synthetic sequence was completed by a NaClO2 oxidation employing cheap and environmentally friendly conditions. The product was obtained in 94% yield and with an ee of 98% over the two steps.