Expanding the set of rhodococcal Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases by high-throughput cloning, expression and substrate screening

To expand the available set of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs), we have created expression constructs for producing 22 Type I BVMOs that are present in the genome of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. Each BVMO has been probed with a large panel of potential substrates. Except for testing their substrate acceptance, also the enantioselectivity of some selected BVMOs was studied. The results provide insight into the biocatalytic potential of this collection of BVMOs and expand the biocatalytic repertoire known for BVMOs. This study also sheds light on the catalytic capacity of this large set of BVMOs that is present in this specific actinomycete. Furthermore, a comparative sequence analysis revealed a new BVMO-typifying sequence motif. This motif represents a useful tool for effective future genome mining efforts.

Developing a generic high-throughput method for the rapid generation of libraries of 'designer' oxidoreductase biocatalysts

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Expanding the biocatalytic toolbox of flavoprotein monooxygenases from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1

<p>With the aim to enlarge the set of available flavoprotein monooxygenases, we have cloned 8 unexplored genes from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 that were predicted to encode class B flavoprotein monooxygenases. Each monooxygenase can be expressed as soluble protein and has been tested for conversion of sulfides and ketones. Not only enantioselective sulfoxidations, but also enantioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidations could be performed with this set of monooxygenases. Interestingly, in contrast to known class B flavoprotein monooxygenases, all studied biocatalysts showed no nicotinamide coenzyme preference. This feature coincides with the fact that the respective sequences appear to form a discrete group of sequence related proteins, distinct from the known class B flavoprotein monooxygenases subclasses: the so-called flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), N-hydroxylating monooxygenases (NMOs) and Type I Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs). Taken together, these data reveal the existence of a new subclass of class B flavoprotein monooxygenases, which we coined as Type II FMOs, that can perform Baeyer-Villiger oxidations and accept both NADPH and NADH as coenzyme. The uncovered biocatalytic properties of the studied Type II FMOs make this newly recognized subclass of monooxygenases of potential interest for biocatalytic applications. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>

Enzymatic Synthesis of Novel Chiral Sulfoxides Employing Baeyer–Villiger Monooxygenases

Optically active sulfoxides are compounds of high interest in organic chemistry. Herein, we report the preparation of a set of chiral heteroaryl alkyl, cyclohexyl alkyl, and alkyl alkyl sulfoxides by using enantioselective sulfoxidation reactions employing three Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs). Careful selection of the reaction conditions, starting sulfide, and biocatalyst can be used to achieve good to excellent enantiomeric excess values. Thus, valuable chiral synthons can be obtained by performing the reactions under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. The most promising biotransformations that employ a BVMO cell-free extract preparation have been developed on a 250-mg scale to give the chiral sulfoxides in high yields in most of the reactions.