Marco Girhard

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases: an update on perspectives for synthetic application

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are versatile biocatalysts that catalyze the regio- and stereospecific oxidation of non-activated hydrocarbons under mild conditions, which is a challenging task for chemical catalysts. Over the past decade impressive advances have been achieved via protein engineering with regard to activity, stability and specificity of P450s. In addition, a large pool of newly annotated P450s has attracted much attention as a source for novel biocatalysts for oxidation. In this review we give a short up-to-date overview of recent results on P450 engineering for technical applications including aspects of whole-cell biocatalysis with engineered recombinant enzymes. Furthermore, we focus on recently identified P450s with novel biotechnologically relevant properties.

Characterization of the versatile monooxygenase CYP109B1 from Bacillus subtilis

The oxidizing activity of CYP109B1 from Bacillus subtilis was reconstituted in vitro with various artificial redox proteins including putidaredoxin reductase and putidaredoxin from Pseudomonas putida, truncated bovine adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin, flavodoxin reductase and flavodoxin from Escherichia coli, and two flavodoxins from B. subtilis (YkuN and YkuP). Binding and oxidation of a broad range of chemically different substrates (fatty acids, n-alkanes, primary n-alcohols, terpenoids like (+)-valencene, α- and β-ionone, and the steroid testosterone) were investigated. CYP109B1was found to oxidize saturated fatty acids (conversion up to 99%) and their methyl and ethyl esters (conversion up to 80%) at subterminal positions with a preference for the carbon atoms C11 and C12 counted from the carboxyl group. For the hydroxylation of primary n-alcohols, the ω−2 position was preferred. n-Alkanes were not accepted as substrates by CYP109B1. Regioselective hydroxylation of terpenoids α-ionone (∼70% conversion) and β-ionone (∼ 91% conversion) yielded the allylic alcohols 3-hydroxy-α-ionone and 4-hydroxy-β-ionone, respectively. Furthermore, indole was demonstrated to inhibit fatty acid oxidation.

Regioselective biooxidation of (+)-valencene by recombinant E. coli expressing CYP109B1 from Bacillus subtilis in a two-liquid-phase system

Background(+)-Nootkatone (4) is a high added-value compound found in grapefruit juice. Allylic oxidation of the sesquiterpene (+)-valencene (1) provides an attractive route to this sought-after flavoring. So far, chemical methods to produce (+)-nootkatone (4) from (+)-valencene (1) involve unsafe toxic compounds, whereas several biotechnological approaches applied yield large amounts of undesirable byproducts. In the present work 125 cytochrome P450 enzymes from bacteria were tested for regioselective oxidation of (+)-valencene (1) at allylic C2-position to produce (+)-nootkatone (4) via cis- (2) or trans-nootkatol (3). The P450 activity was supported by the co-expression of putidaredoxin reductase (PdR) and putidaredoxin (Pdx) from Pseudomonas putida in Escherichia coli.ResultsAddressing the whole-cell system, the cytochrome CYP109B1 from Bacillus subtilis was found to catalyze the oxidation of (+)-valencene (1) yielding nootkatol (2 and 3) and (+)-nootkatone (4). However, when the in vivo biooxidation of (+)-valencene (1) with CYP109B1 was carried out in an aqueous milieu, a number of undesired multi-oxygenated products has also been observed accounting for approximately 35% of the total product. The formation of these byproducts was significantly reduced when aqueous-organic two-liquid-phase systems with four water immiscible organic solvents – isooctane, n-octane, dodecane or hexadecane – were set up, resulting in accumulation of nootkatol (2 and 3) and (+)-nootkatone (4) of up to 97% of the total product. The best productivity of 120 mg l-1 of desired products was achieved within 8 h in the system comprising 10% dodecane.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the identification of new P450s capable of producing valuable compounds can basically be achieved by screening of recombinant P450 libraries. The biphasic reaction system described in this work presents an attractive way for the production of (+)-nootkatone (4), as it is safe and can easily be controlled and scaled up.

Regioselective hydroxylation of norisoprenoids by CYP109D1 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56

Sesquiterpenes are particularly interesting as flavorings and fragrances or as pharmaceuticals. Regio- or stereoselective functionalizations of terpenes are one of the main goals of synthetic organic chemistry, which are possible through radical reactions but are not selective enough to introduce the desired chiral alcohol function into those compounds. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are versatile biocatalysts and are capable of performing selective oxidations of organic molecules. We were able to demonstrate that CYP109D1 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 functions as a biocatalyst for the highly regioselective hydroxylation of norisoprenoids, α- and β-ionone, which are important aroma compounds of floral scents. The substrates α- and β-ionone were regioselectively hydroxylated to 3-hydroxy-α-ionone and 4-hydroxy-β-ionone, respectively, which was confirmed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The results of docking α- and β-ionone into a homology model of CYP109D1 gave a rational explanation for the regio-selectivity of the hydroxylation. Kinetic studies revealed that α- and β-ionone can be hydroxylated with nearly identical Vmax and Km values. This is the first comprehensive investigation of the regioselective hydroxylation of norisoprenoids by CYP109D1.

Light‐driven biocatalysis with cytochrome P450 peroxygenases

The cytochrome P450 peroxygenases P450Bsβ (CYP152A1) from Bacillus subtilis and P450Cla (CYP152A2) from Clostridium acetobutylicum belong to a unique group of P450s with high synthetic potential. They consume hydrogen peroxide via the peroxide shunt and therefore do not require additional electron transfer proteins for biocatalytic activity. Their high synthetic potential is, however, impaired by their rather poor operational stability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Herein, we report the use of a light‐driven approach utilizing light‐excited flavins (riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide, or flavin adenine dinucleotide) and the electron donor ethylenediaminetetraacetate as the electron source for the in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide. This approach represents a simple and easily applicable way to promote oxyfunctionalization reactions catalyzed by P450 peroxygenases and is useful for biocatalysis with these enzymes.

In situ formation of H2O2 for P450 peroxygenases

An in situ H2O2 generation approach to promote P450 peroxygenases catalysis was developed through the use of the nicotinamide cofactor analogue 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). Final productivity could be enhanced due to higher enzyme stability at low H2O2 concentrations. The H2O2 generation represented the rate-limiting step, however it could be easily controlled by varying both FMN and BNAH concentrations. Further characterization can result in an optimized ratio of FMN/BNAH/O2/biocatalyst enabling high reaction rates while minimizing H2O2-related inactivation of the enzyme.

Novel family members of CYP109 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 exhibit characteristic biochemical and biophysical properties.

The members of the CYP109 family (CYP109C1, CYP109C2, and CYP109D1) from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 are among the 21 P450 enzymes, of which only CYP109D1 and CYP264B1 have so far been functionally characterized. Here, we attempted to characterize two other P450s (CYP109C1 and CYP109C2) for the first time and compare their biochemical, biophysical, and functional properties to those of the fatty acid hydroxylating CYP109D1. Considering the physiological importance of fatty acids, we investigated saturated fatty acid binding and conversion for all members of the CYP109 family. The interaction between the CYP109 members and different autologous/heterologous redox partners was compared using Biacore measurements in which only CYP109D1 and bovine adrenodoxin (Adx) formed a complex. Surprisingly, this interaction was similarly efficient as the interaction of Adx with its mammalian redox partners. The in vitro reconstitution assays showed no activity when using CYP109C1, although substrate binding was demonstrated; also, there was subterminal hydroxylation of saturated fatty acids, when using CYP109C2 and CYP109D1, where CYP109D1 was a much more efficient fatty acid hydroxylase. Interestingly, the hydroxylation position moved inside the fatty acid chain when using long‐chain fatty acids, thus producing possible precursors for physiologically important products.

Biocatalysis: Key to Selective Oxidations

Selective oxidations of readily available organic molecules can lead directly to high‐value chiral compounds. Although modern chemical catalysts have significantly been improved toward the selective hydroxylation of nonactivated CH bonds, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases still remain unsurpassed in their regio‐, chemo‐, and stereoselectivity. The exploitation of new P450 enzymes discovered through genome mining provides sought‐after fine chemicals, drugs, drug metabolites, and vitamins and has already been proven superior to classical chemical synthesis in many cases. Here, we provide examples for highly selective oxidations achieved through the exploitation of naturally occurring (wild‐type) P450 monooxygenases. We summarize recent achievements in the area of P450 biocatalysis and present examples for applications of P450s in industrial synthetic chemistry.

A natural heme‐signature variant of CYP267A1 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 executes diverse ω‐hydroxylation

A novel naturally occurring heme‐signature variant of CYP267A1 from myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 and its mutant L366F, the actual mimic of the ‘conserved’ heme‐signature of cytochromes P450, were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli in a soluble form and purified. The UV–visible characteristics of both variants were highly similar. Although leucine replaced the phenylalanine in the heme‐signature domain of CYP267A1, EPR measurements of the ligand‐free wild‐type CYP267A1 and the mutant L366F showed low‐spin rhombic species suggesting a conserved heme environment of the P450s. The need of primary redox partners for the orphan P450 was sustained by the bovine redox system and a class‐I electron transfer path was provided during fatty acid hydroxylation. CYP267A1 showed higher activity and produced more diverse ω‐hydroxylated products compared with L366F. In both enzymes the regioselectivity of the fatty acid hydroxylation shifted towards the inner carbon atoms of the fatty acid chains with increasing carbon chain lengths. Our docking results in a homology model of the protein showed that longer fatty acids need to be folded to fit into the binding pocket. In the mutant L366F, the ω‐1 and ω‐2 positions which exhibit the largest electron density of the highest occupied molecular orbital are preferred. It is speculated that the leucine heme‐signature variant of P450 might have evolved under selective evolutionary pressure, which confers an increased advantage to generate a broader spectrum of related alcohols and carboxylic acids required for the bacterial homeostasis or metabolism in a particular ecological niche.

Two‐Step One‐Pot Synthesis of Pinoresinol from Eugenol in an Enzymatic Cascade

The phytoestrogen pinoresinol is a high‐value compound that has a protective effect against diverse health disorders, and thus is of interest for the pharmaceutical industry. Isolation of pinoresinol from plants suffers from low yields, and its chemical synthesis involves several work‐up steps. In this study we devised a novel two‐step one‐pot enzymatic cascade combining a vanillyl‐alcohol oxidase and a laccase for the production of pinoresinol from eugenol via the intermediate coniferyl alcohol. Along with the well‐characterized vanillyl‐alcohol oxidase from Penicillium simplicissimum used to catalyze the oxidation of eugenol, enzyme screening revealed three bacterial laccases that were appropriate for the synthesis of pinoresinol from coniferyl alcohol. The cascade was optimized regarding enzyme ratios, pH value, and the presence of organic solvents. Under optimized conditions, pinoresinol concentration achieved 4.4 mM (1.6 g l−1), and this compound was isolated and analyzed.