Functional analysis of key enzymes involved in the polyether construction and application for chemo-enzymatic synthesis of polyether natural products

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750361
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomolecular chemistry
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: MINAMI ATSUSHI 北海道大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (40507191)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ポリエーテル / 生合成 / エポキシド加水分解酵素 / エポキシ化酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Complex polyether natural products are constructed by epoxidations followed by cyclizations as exemplified by Cane, Celmer and Westley. Two key enzymes, epoxidase and epoxide hydrolase, are involved in the highly regioselective and stereoselective reactions. To elucidate the function of those enzymes, we conducted in vitro (or in vivo) analysis utilizing substrate analogs and figure out the regulation mechanism in part. Additionally, we achieved chemoenzymatic synthesis of oxasqualenoid by utilizing functionally characterized EPX. These findings open the door for the enzymatic synthesis of polyether skeleton.

Free Research Field

天然物有機化学