Engineering two species of yeast as cell factories for 2'-fucosyllactose.

Oligosaccharides present in human breast milk have been linked to beneficial effects on infant health. Inclusion of these human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in infant formula can recapitulate these health benefits. As a result, there is substantial commercial interest in a cost-effective source of HMOs as infant formula ingredients. Here we demonstrate that the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica both can be engineered to produce 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), which is the most abundant oligosaccharide in human breast milk, at high titer and productivity. Both yeast species were modified to enable uptake of lactose and synthesis of GDP-fucose - the two precursors of 2'FL - by installing a lactose transporter and enzymes that convert GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose. Production of 2'FL was then enabled by expression of α-1,2-fucosyltransferases from various organisms. By screening candidate transporters from a variety of sources, we identified transporters capable of exporting 2'FL from yeast, which is a key consideration for any biocatalyst for 2'FL production. In particular, we identified CDT2 from Neurospora crassa as a promising target for further engineering to improve 2'FL efflux. Finally, we demonstrated production of 2'FL in fermenters at rates and titers that indicate the potential of engineered S. cerevisiae and Y. lipolytica strains for commercial 2'FL production.

Improved selectivity of an engineered multi-product terpene synthase.

Mutation of the sesquiterpene synthase Cop2 was conducted with a high-throughput screen for the cyclization activity using a non-natural substrate. A mutant of Cop2 was identified that contained three amino acid substitutions. This mutant, 17H2, converted the natural substrate FPP into germacrene D-4-ol with 77% selectivity. This selectivity is in contrast to that of the parent enzyme in which germacrene D-4-ol is produced as 29% and α-cadinol is produced as 46% of the product mixture. The mutations were shown to each contribute to this selectivity, and a homology model suggested that the mutations lie near to the active site though would be unlikely to be targeted for mutation by rational methods. Kinetic comparisons show that 17H2 maintains a kcat/KM of 0.62 mM(-1) s(-1), which is nearly identical to that of the parent Cop2, which had a kcat/KM of 0.58 mM(-1) s(-1).

Imidazopyridazine hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies and the discovery of a novel, traceless prodrug mechanism.

By reducing the basicity of the core heterocycle in a series of HCV NS5B inhibitors, the hERG liability was reduced. The SAR was then systematically explored in order to increase solubility and enable dose escalation while retaining potency. During this exploration, a facile decarboxylation was noted and was exploited as a novel prodrug mechanism. The synthesis and characterization of these prodrugs and their utilization in chronic toxicity studies are presented.

Cytochrome P450: taming a wild type enzyme.

Protein engineering of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) has been very successful in generating valuable non-natural activities and properties, allowing these powerful catalysts to be used for the synthesis of drug metabolites and in biosynthetic pathways for the production of precursors of artemisinin and paclitaxel. Collected experience indicates that the P450s are highly 'evolvable' - they are particularly robust to mutation in their active sites and readily accept new substrates and exhibit new selectivities. Their ability to adapt to new challenges upon mutation may reflect the nonpolar nature of their active sites as well as their high degree of conformational variability.

Synthesis of the bicyclic welwitindolinone core via an alkylation/cyclization cascade reaction.

Synthesis of an advanced welwitindolinone intermediate via an alkylation/cyclization reaction is reported. The key step involves a one pot Lewis acid-mediated alkylation of a silylketene aminal with a furan alcohol followed by an intramolecular cyclization. The reaction is stereoselective and takes place at low temperature. The cycloadduct was highly functionalized and contains the welwitindolinone core structure.

An approach to the synthesis of stenine.

A type 2 N-acylnitroso intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction followed by reductive N-O bond cleavage formed the B and C rings of the Stemona alkaloid stenine. Further elaboration provided the functionalized tricyclic core.

A synthesis of the welwistatin core.

[Structure: see text] An approach to the core structure of the microtubule-targeting agent welwistatin is described. The approach utilizes the type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, with indole serving as the tether between diene and dienophile, to form the natural product's characteristic bicyclo[4.3.1]decane skeleton.

Profiling of structurally labile oxylipins in plants by in situ derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl hydroxylamine.

A GC-MS-based method for the simultaneous quantification of common oxylipins along with labile and highly reactive compounds based on in situ derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl hydroxylamine to the corresponding O-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl oximes (PFB oximes) is presented. The approach covers oxo derivatives such as jasmonic acid (JA), 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA), certain phytoprostanes, unsaturated oxo-acids, oxo-hydroxy acids, and aldehyde fragments from the polar head of fatty acids. In the positive electron impact-MS mode, the PFB oximes display characteristic fragment ions that greatly facilitate the identification of oxylipins in complex matrices. In addition, the fluorinated derivatives allow a highly selective and low-background analysis by negative chemical ionization. Besides showing the general value of the method for the identification of a broad range of oxylipins (18 examples), we also demonstrate sensitivity, linearity, and reproducibility for the quantification of JA, OPDA, 11-oxo-9-undecenoic acid, and 13-oxo-9,11-tridecadienoic acid. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by differential profiling of these four oxylipins in lima bean leaves after mechanical wounding and feeding by the herbivore Spodoptera littoralis. Caterpillar feeding induced several oxylipins, whereas after wounding only the level of JA increased. The rapid in situ derivatization prevents the isomerization of cis-JA to trans-JA. The resting level of JA in lima beans showed an isomer ratio of 80:20 for trans/cis-JA. After wounding, de novo synthesis of JA alters the ratio to 20:80 in favor of the cis isomer.

Synthesis and chemistry of bridgehead allylsilanes. Stereoselective reactions with aldehydes.

A type II intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction provides access to bicyclo[5.3.1] ring systems with an imbedded bridgehead allylsilane. The Lewis acid catalyzed reactions of these compounds with aldehydes proceed efficiently and with control of stereochemistry. [reaction: see text]

Indanoyl amino acid conjugates: tunable elicitors of plant secondary metabolism.

The unassuming nature of plants belies their viciously effective defensive strategies in the face of herbivore attack. Under the direction of, among others, octadecanoid hormones, plants respond by producing phytoalexins, bitter and toxic alkaloids, protease inhibitors, and even volatile compounds that call predatory insects to the herbivores. A rational design of 4-oxoindanoyl amino acid conjugates based on the phytotoxin, coronatine, as a structural guide resulted in a series of highly active compounds which turn on defensive systems in much the same way as octadecanoid hormones. The developments in the syntheses of indanoyl amino acid conjugates have created easy access to substantial amounts of a variety of such compounds. When these compounds were tested in biological systems, they showed abilities to induce defensive responses that surpassed octadecanoid hormones. In addition, small changes in the structures of these compounds resulted in large differences in the particular defensive systems that were activated. Indanoyl amino acid conjugates are promising tools in photoaffinity approaches towards the macromolecular targets of octadecanoids and their subcellular localization. Owing to the strong activation of plant defense or their efficient induction of fruit abscission which facilitates mechanical harvest, the compounds are promising candidates for future application in agriculture.

Selective induction of secondary metabolism in Phaseolus lunatus by 6-substituted indanoyl isoleucine conjugates.

A novel and highly efficient route to new indanoyl isoleucine conjugates is described, which allows a wide range of substituents to be attached to the 6-position of the indanoyl moiety. We report the synthesis of conjugates with methyl, methoxy, propoxy, allyloxy, pentoxy, and 2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy 6-position substituents. Preliminary biological activities of the novel compounds with significantly enhanced water solubility were determined using the Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) volatile bioassay. The compounds induce variable volatile patterns, and structure-activity relationships show an ability to differentially induce separate pathways leading to secondary metabolites.