Crystallization of Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C N-(1-D-carboxyethyl)-L-norvaline dehydrogenase and its complex with NAD+

The novel NAD+-linked opine dehydrogenase from a soil isolate Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C belongs to an enzyme superfamily whose members exhibit quite diverse substrate specificites. Crystals of this opine dehydrogenase, obtained in the presence or absence of co-factor and substrates, have been shown to diffract to beyond 1.8 ? resolution. X-ray precession photographs have established that the crystals belong to space group P21212, with cell parameters a = 104.9, b = 80.0, c = 45.5 ? and a single subunit in the asymmetric unit. The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme will provide a structural framework for this novel class of dehydrogenases to enable a comparison to be made with other enzyme families and also as the basis for mutagenesis experiments directed towards the production of natural and synthetic opine-type compounds containing two chiral centres.     

Neighboring group participation of the indole nucleus: An unusual DAST-mediated rearrangement reaction

A rearrangement reaction involving the indole nucleus was investigated using stereochemical markers and low-temperature NMR experiments. Treatment of (3S, 4S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2-phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (>90% ee) with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride gave stereospecifically (3S, 4S)-4-fluoro-3-(2-phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (>90% ee) with complete regioselectivity. The initial formation of a reactive spirocyclopropyl-3H-indole intermediate is believed to be responsible for the stereo- and regiochemical outcome of the reaction.     

Sulfimide-mediated Asymmetric Synthesis

Enantiomerically enriched sulfimides are used to prepare enantiomerically enriched epoxides, aziridines and substituted tetrahydro-furans and -pyrans. A new ‘asymmetric sulfimidation’ procedure is described.