Hydroxynitrile lyases from cyanogenic millipedes: molecular cloning, heterologous expression, and whole-cell biocatalysis for the production of (R)-mandelonitrile.

ABSTRACT: Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs), which are key enzymes in cyanogenesis, catalyze the cleavage of cyanohydrins into carbonyl compounds and hydrogen cyanide. Since HNLs also catalyze the reverse reaction, they are used industrially for the asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins, which are valuable building blocks of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. HNLs have been isolated from cyanogenic plants and bacteria. Recently, an HNL from the cyanogenic millipede Chamberlinius hualienensis was shown to have the highest specific activity for (R)-mandelonitrile synthesis, along with high stability and enantioselectivity. However, no HNLs have been isolated from other cyanogenic millipedes. We identified and characterized HNLs from 10 cyanogenic millipedes in the Paradoxosomatidae and Xystodesmidae. Seque

SUBMITTER: Yamaguchi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5813103 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature