35 publications

35 publications

A Chaperonin as Protein Nanoreactor for Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization

Bruns, N.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1443-1447, 10.1002/anie.201306798

The group II chaperonin thermosome (THS) from the archaea Thermoplasma acidophilum is reported as nanoreactor for atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A copper catalyst was entrapped into the THS to confine the polymerization into this protein cage. THS possesses pores that are wide enough to release polymers into solution. The nanoreactor favorably influenced the polymerization of N‐isopropyl acrylamide and poly(ethylene glycol)methylether acrylate. Narrowly dispersed polymers with polydispersity indices (PDIs) down to 1.06 were obtained in the protein nanoreactor, while control reactions with a globular protein–catalyst conjugate only yielded polymers with PDIs above 1.84.


Metal: Cu
Host protein: Thermosome (THS)
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Polymerization
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Non-ROMP

A De Novo Designed Metalloenzyme for the Hydration of CO2

Pecoraro, V.L.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 7900-7903, 10.1002/anie.201404925

Protein design will ultimately allow for the creation of artificial enzymes with novel functions and unprecedented stability. To test our current mastery of nature’s approach to catalysis, a ZnII metalloenzyme was prepared using de novo design. α3DH3 folds into a stable single‐stranded three‐helix bundle and binds ZnII with high affinity using His3O coordination. The resulting metalloenzyme catalyzes the hydration of CO2 better than any small molecule model of carbonic anhydrase and with an efficiency within 1400‐fold of the fastest carbonic anhydrase isoform, CAII, and 11‐fold of CAIII.


Metal: Zn
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: α3D peptide
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: kcat/KM ≈ 3.8*104 M-1*s-1

A Designed Functional Metalloenzyme that Reduces O2 to H2O with Over One Thousand Turnovers

Lu, Y.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 5589-5592, 10.1002/anie.201201981

Rational design of functional enzymes with a high number of turnovers is a challenge, especially those with a complex active site, such as respiratory oxidases. Introducing two His and one Tyr residues into myoglobin resulted in enzymes that reduce O2 to H2O with more than 1000 turnovers (red line, see scheme) and minimal release of reactive oxygen species. The positioning of the Tyr residue is critical for activity.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 1056
ee: ---
PDB: 4FWX
Notes: Sperm whale myoglobin

An Artificial Heme Enzyme for Cyclopropanation Reactions

Roelfes, G.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 7785-7789, 10.1002/anie.201802946

An artificial heme enzyme was created through self‐assembly from hemin and the lactococcal multidrug resistance regulator (LmrR). The crystal structure shows the heme bound inside the hydrophobic pore of the protein, where it appears inaccessible for substrates. However, good catalytic activity and moderate enantioselectivity was observed in an abiological cyclopropanation reaction. We propose that the dynamic nature of the structure of the LmrR protein is key to the observed activity. This was supported by molecular dynamics simulations, which showed transient formation of opened conformations that allow the binding of substrates and the formation of pre‐catalytic structures.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Protoporphyrin IX
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Reaction: Cyclopropanation
Max TON: 449
ee: 51
PDB: 6FUU
Notes: ---

An Artificial Metalloenzyme: Creation of a Designed Copper Binding Site in a Thermostable Protein

Reetz, M.T.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 5151-5155, 10.1002/anie.201002106

Guided by nature: A designed binding site comprising the His/His/Asp motif for CuII complexation has been constructed in a robust protein by site‐specific mutagenesis (see picture). The artificial metalloenzyme catalyzes an enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: tHisF
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: 6.7
ee: 46
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

An Artificial Oxygenase Built from Scratch: Substrate Binding Site Identified Using a Docking Approach

Cavazza, C.; Ménage, S.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 3922-3925, 10.1002/anie.201209021

The substrate for an artificial iron monooxygenase was selected by using docking calculations. The high catalytic efficiency of the reported enzyme for sulfide oxidation was directly correlated to the predicted substrate binding mode in the protein cavity, thus illustrating the synergetic effect of the substrate binding site, protein scaffold, and catalytic site.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: BPMCN; BPMEN
Host protein: NikA
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical
Reaction: Sulfoxidation
Max TON: 199
ee: ≤5
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Artificial Metalloenzymes for Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation on the Basis of the Biotin–Avidin Technology

Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 701-705, 10.1002/anie.200703159

Palladium in the active site: The incorporation of a biotinylated palladium diphosphine within streptavidin yielded an artificial metalloenzyme for the title reaction (see scheme). Chemogenetic optimization of the catalyst by the introduction of a spacer (red star) between biotin (green triangle) and palladium and saturation mutagenesis at position S112X afforded both R‐ and S‐selective artificial asymmetric allylic alkylases.


Metal: Pd
Ligand type: Phosphine
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Reaction: Allylic alkylation
Max TON: 10
ee: 93
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Artificial Transfer Hydrogenases for the Enantioselective Reduction of Cyclic Imines

Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 3026-3029, 10.1002/anie.201007820

Man‐made activity: Introduction of a biotinylated iridium piano stool complex within streptavidin affords an artificial imine reductase (see scheme). Saturation mutagenesis allowed optimization of the activity and the enantioselectivity of this metalloenzyme, and its X‐ray structure suggests that a nearby lysine residue acts as a proton source during the transfer hydrogenation.


Metal: Ir
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Cp*
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 4000
ee: 96
PDB: 3PK2
Notes: ---

Metal: Rh
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Cp*
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 94
ee: 52
PDB: 3PK2
Notes: ---

Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; P-cymene
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 97
ee: 22
PDB: 3PK2
Notes: ---

Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Benzene
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 76
ee: 12
PDB: 3PK2
Notes: ---

Carbene in Cupredoxin Protein Scaffolds: Replacement of a Histidine Ligand in the Active Site Substantially Alters Copper Redox Properties

Albrecht, M.; Paradisi, F.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 130, 10837-10842, 10.1002/ange.201807168

Im Tausch gegen NHC: Die Einfügung eines N‐heterocyclischen Carbenliganden (grün/blau) als Ersatz für His in das aktive Zentrum des Redoxenzyms Azurin rekonstituiert das T1‐Kupferzentrum. Der resultierende Komplex ist spektroskopisch kaum unterscheidbar von der N‐Bindung von His oder N‐Methylimidazol, senkt aber signifikant das Reduktionspotential des Kupferzentrums und erleichtert dadurch Elektronentransferprozesse.


Metal: Cu
Host protein: Azurin
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Reaction: Electron transfer
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Helical Scaffolds

Review

Pecoraro, V.L.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 7678-7699, 10.1002/anie.201907502

The relationship between protein structure and function is one of the greatest puzzles within biochemistry. De novo metalloprotein design is a way to wipe the board clean and determine what is required to build in function from the ground up in an unrelated structure. This Review focuses on protein design efforts to create de novo metalloproteins within alpha-helical scaffolds. Examples of successful designs include those with carbonic anhydrase or nitrite reductase activity by incorporating a ZnHis3 or CuHis3 site, or that recapitulate the spectroscopic properties of unique electron-transfer sites in cupredoxins (CuHis2Cys) or rubredoxins (FeCys4). This work showcases the versatility of alpha helices as scaffolds for metalloprotein design and the progress that is possible through careful rational design. Our studies cover the invariance of carbonic anhydrase activity with different site positions and scaffolds, refinement of our cupredoxin models, and enhancement of nitrite reductase activity up to 1000-fold.


Notes: ---

Controlled Ligand Exchange Between Ruthenium Organometallic Cofactor Precursors and a Naïve Protein Scaffold Generates Artificial Metalloenzymes Catalysing Transfer Hydrogenation

Barker, P.D.; Boss, S.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 10919-10927, 10.1002/anie.202015834

Many natural metalloenzymes assemble from proteins and biosynthesised complexes, generating potent catalysts by changing metal coordination. Here we adopt the same strategy to generate artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) using ligand exchange to unmask catalytic activity. By systematically testing RuII(η6-arene)(bipyridine) complexes designed to facilitate the displacement of functionalised bipyridines, we develop a fast and robust procedure for generating new enzymes via ligand exchange in a protein that has not evolved to bind such a complex. The resulting metal cofactors form peptidic coordination bonds but also retain a non-biological ligand. Tandem mass spectrometry and 19F NMR spectroscopy were used to characterise the organometallic cofactors and identify the protein-derived ligands. By introduction of ruthenium cofactors into a 4-helical bundle, transfer hydrogenation catalysts were generated that displayed a 35-fold rate increase when compared to the respective small molecule reaction in solution.


Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Arene; Bipyridine
Host protein: Cytochrome b562
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: ---
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: 35 fold rate increase

Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Arene; Bipyridine
Host protein: Ubiquitin
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: ---
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: 35 fold rate increase

Copper–Phthalocyanine Conjugates of Serum Albumins as Enantioselective Catalysts in Diels–Alder Reactions

Reetz, M.T.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 2416-2419, 10.1002/anie.200504561

Chirality from blood: Serum albumins form strong complexes with CuII–phthalocyanines, leading to protein conjugates. These hybrid catalysts promote enantioselective Diels–Alder reactions, such as that of azachalcones 1 with cyclopentadiene (2) to give products 3 with 85–98 % ee.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Phthalocyanine
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical
Max TON: 45.5
ee: 98
PDB: ---
Notes: Chirality from blood: Serum albumins form strong complexes with CuII–phthalocyanines, leading to protein conjugates. These hybrid catalysts promote enantioselective Diels–Alder reactions, such as that of azachalcones 1 with cyclopentadiene (2) to give products 3 with 85–98 % ee.

Cross-Regulation of an Artificial Metalloenzyme

Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 10156-10160, 10.1002/anie.201702181

Cross‐regulation of complex biochemical reaction networks is an essential feature of living systems. In a biomimetic spirit, we report on our efforts to program the temporal activation of an artificial metalloenzyme via cross‐regulation by a natural enzyme. In the presence of urea, urease slowly releases ammonia that reversibly inhibits an artificial transfer hydrogenase. Addition of an acid, which acts as fuel, allows to maintain the system out of equilibrium.


Metal: Ir
Ligand type: Cp*; Phenanthroline
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 96
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Cross-regulated reduction of the antibiotic enrofloxacin by an ArM.

Directed Evolution of an Artificial Imine Reductase

Maréchal, J.-D.; Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 1863-1868, 10.1002/anie.201711016

Artificial metalloenzymes, resulting from incorporation of a metal cofactor within a host protein, have received increasing attention in the last decade. The directed evolution is presented of an artificial transfer hydrogenase (ATHase) based on the biotin‐streptavidin technology using a straightforward procedure allowing screening in cell‐free extracts. Two streptavidin isoforms were yielded with improved catalytic activity and selectivity for the reduction of cyclic imines. The evolved ATHases were stable under biphasic catalytic conditions. The X‐ray structure analysis reveals that introducing bulky residues within the active site results in flexibility changes of the cofactor, thus increasing exposure of the metal to the protein surface and leading to a reversal of enantioselectivity. This hypothesis was confirmed by a multiscale approach based mostly on molecular dynamics and protein–ligand dockings.


Metal: Ir
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Cp*
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 380
ee: 95
PDB: 6ESS
Notes: Salsolidine formation; Sav mutant S112A-N118P-K121A-S122M: (R)-selective

Metal: Ir
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Cp*
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 220
ee: 85
PDB: 6ESU
Notes: Salsolidine formation; Sav mutant S112R-N118P-K121A-S122M-L124Y: (S)-selective

Directed Evolution of Iridium-Substituted Myoglobin Affords Versatile Artificial Metalloenzymes for Enantioselective C-C Bond-Forming Reactions

Review

Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 14909-14911, 10.1002/anie.201607222

Upgrading myoglobin with iridium: A metal‐substitution strategy has been used to afford a repurposed myoglobin for challenging cyclopropanation and intramolecular C−H activation reactions. The performance of the iridium‐loaded myoglobin (orange sphere) was improved through directed evolution of eight active‐site residues (yellow surface).


Notes: ---

Diversifying Metal–Ligand Cooperative Catalysis in Semi‐Synthetic [Mn]‐Hydrogenases

Hu, X.; Shima, S.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 13350-13357, 10.1002/anie.202100443

The reconstitution of [Mn]-hydrogenases using a series of MnI complexes is described. These complexes are designed to have an internal base or pro-base that may participate in metal–ligand cooperative catalysis or have no internal base or pro-base. Only MnI complexes with an internal base or pro-base are active for H2 activation; only [Mn]-hydrogenases incorporating such complexes are active for hydrogenase reactions. These results confirm the essential role of metal–ligand cooperation for H2 activation by the MnI complexes alone and by [Mn]-hydrogenases. Owing to the nature and position of the internal base or pro-base, the mode of metal–ligand cooperation in two active [Mn]-hydrogenases is different from that of the native [Fe]-hydrogenase. One [Mn]-hydrogenase has the highest specific activity of semi-synthetic [Mn]- and [Fe]-hydrogenases. This work demonstrates reconstitution of active artificial hydrogenases using synthetic complexes differing greatly from the native active site.


Metal: Mn
Ligand type: CO; Pyridone
Anchoring strategy: Reconstitution
Optimization: Chemical
Reaction: Hydrogenation
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Enantioselective Artificial Metalloenzymes by Creation of a Novel Active Site at the Protein Dimer Interface

Roelfes, G.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 7472-7475, 10.1002/anie.201202070

A game of two halves: Artificial metalloenzymes are generated by forming a novel active site on the dimer interface of the transcription factor LmrR. Two copper centers are incorporated by binding to ligands in each half of the dimer. With this system up to 97 % ee was obtained in the benchmark CuII catalyzed Diels–Alder reaction (see scheme).


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Bipyridine; Phenanthroline
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: 32.7
ee: 97
PDB: 3F8B
Notes: ---

Engineering Dirhodium Artificial Metalloenzymes for Diazo Coupling Cascade Reactions

Lewis, J.C.; Roux, B.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 23672-23677, 10.1002/anie.202107982

Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are commonly used to control the stereoselectivity of catalytic reactions, but controlling chemoselectivity remains challenging. In this study, we engineer a dirhodium ArM to catalyze diazo cross-coupling to form an alkene that, in a one-pot cascade reaction, is reduced to an alkane with high enantioselectivity (typically >99 % ee) by an alkene reductase. The numerous protein and small molecule components required for the cascade reaction had minimal effect on ArM catalysis. Directed evolution of the ArM led to improved yields and E/Z selectivities for a variety of substrates, which translated to cascade reaction yields. MD simulations of ArM variants were used to understand the structural role of the cofactor on ArM conformational dynamics. These results highlight the ability of ArMs to control both catalyst stereoselectivity and chemoselectivity to enable reactions in complex media that would otherwise lead to undesired side reactions.


Metal: Rh
Ligand type: Dirhodium
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: ---
Max TON: ---
ee: >99
PDB: ---
Notes: 61% max combined yield for cascade reactions

Enzyme Activity by Design: An Artificial Rhodium Hydroformylase for Linear Aldehydes

Jarvis, A.G.; Kamer, P.C.J.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 129, 13784-13788, 10.1002/ange.201705753


Metal: Rh
Ligand type: Acac; Diphenylphosphine
Anchoring strategy: Cystein-maleimide
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Reaction: Hydroformylation
Max TON: 409
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Selectivity for the linear product over the branched product

Genetic Optimization of Metalloenzymes: Enhancing Enzymes for Non-Natural Reactions

Review

Hyster, T.K.; Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 7344-7357, 10.1002/anie.201508816

Artificial metalloenzymes have received increasing attention over the last decade as a possible solution to unaddressed challenges in synthetic organic chemistry. Whereas traditional transition‐metal catalysts typically only take advantage of the first coordination sphere to control reactivity and selectivity, artificial metalloenzymes can modulate both the first and second coordination spheres. This difference can manifest itself in reactivity profiles that can be truly unique to artificial metalloenzymes. This Review summarizes attempts to modulate the second coordination sphere of artificial metalloenzymes by using genetic modifications of the protein sequence. In doing so, successful attempts and creative solutions to address the challenges encountered are highlighted.


Notes: ---

Highly Efficient Cyclic Dinucleotide Based Artificial Metalloribozymes for Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reactions in Water

Chen, Y.; Wang, C.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 3444-3449, 10.1002/anie.201912962

The diverse secondary structures of nucleic acids are emerging as attractive chiral scaffolds to construct artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) for enantioselective catalysis. DNA‐based ArMs containing duplex and G‐quadruplex scaffolds have been widely investigated, yet RNA‐based ArMs are scarce. Here we report that a cyclic dinucleotide of c‐di‐AMP and Cu2+ ions assemble into an artificial metalloribozyme (c‐di‐AMP⋅Cu2+) that enables catalysis of enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reactions in aqueous media with high reactivity and excellent enantioselectivity of up to 97 % ee. The assembly of c‐di‐AMP⋅Cu2+ gives rise to a 20‐fold rate acceleration compared to Cu2+ ions. Based on various biophysical techniques and density function theory (DFT) calculations, a fine coordination structure of c‐di‐AMP⋅Cu2+ metalloribozyme is suggested in which two c‐di‐AMP form a dimer scaffold and the Cu2+ ion is located in the center of an adenine‐adenine plane through binding to two N7 nitrogen atoms and one phosphate oxygen atom.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: RNA
Host protein: RNA
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Chemical
Max TON: 20
ee: 97
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Intracellular Reactions Promoted by Bis(histidine) Miniproteins Stapled Using Palladium(II) Complexes

Mascareñas, J.L.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 9149-9154, 10.1002/anie.202002032

The generation of catalytically active metalloproteins inside living mammalian cells is a major research challenge at the interface between catalysis and cell biology. Herein we demonstrate that basic domains of bZIP transcription factors, mutated to include two histidine residues at i and i+4 positions, react with palladium(II) sources to generate catalytically active, stapled pallado-miniproteins. The resulting constrained peptides are efficiently internalized into living mammalian cells, where they perform palladium-promoted depropargylation reactions without cellular fixation. Control experiments confirm the requirement of the peptide scaffolding and the palladium staple for attaining the intracellular reactivity.


Metal: Pd
Ligand type: Amino acid
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: Depropargylation
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Whole cell catalysis

In Vivo Assembly of Artificial Metalloenzymes and Application in Whole‐Cell Biocatalysis

Roelfes, G.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 5913-5920, 10.1002/anie.202014771

We report the supramolecular assembly of artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs), based on the Lactococcal multidrug resistance regulator (LmrR) and an exogeneous copper(II)–phenanthroline complex, in the cytoplasm of E. coli cells. A combination of catalysis, cell-fractionation, and inhibitor experiments, supplemented with in-cell solid-state NMR spectroscopy, confirmed the in-cell assembly. The ArM-containing whole cells were active in the catalysis of the enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles and the Diels–Alder reaction of azachalcone with cyclopentadiene. Directed evolution resulted in two different improved mutants for both reactions, LmrR_A92E_M8D and LmrR_A92E_V15A, respectively. The whole-cell ArM system required no engineering of the microbial host, the protein scaffold, or the cofactor to achieve ArM assembly and catalysis. We consider this a key step towards integrating abiological catalysis with biosynthesis to generate a hybrid metabolism.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Phenanthroline
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: ---
ee: 98
PDB: 3F8F
Notes: ---

Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Phenanthroline
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: ---
ee: 84
PDB: 3F8F
Notes: ---

Metal-Mediated Functionalization of Natural Peptides and Proteins: Panning for Bioconjugation Gold

Review

Ball, Z.T.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 6176-6199, 10.1002/anie.201807536

Selective modification of natural proteins is a daunting methodological challenge and a stringent test of selectivity and reaction scope. There is a continued need for new reactivity and new selectivity concepts. Transition metals exhibit a wealth of unique reactivity that is orthogonal to biological reactions and processes. As such, metal?based methods play an increasingly important role in bioconjugation. This Review examines metal?based methods as well as their reactivity and selectivity for the functionalization of natural proteins and peptides.


Notes: ---

Noncanonical Heme Ligands Steer Carbene Transfer Reactivity in an Artificial Metalloenzyme

Hilvert, D.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 15063-15068, 10.1002/anie.202103437

Changing the primary metal coordination sphere is a powerful strategy for tuning metalloprotein properties. Here we used amber stop codon suppression with engineered pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetases, including two newly evolved enzymes, to replace the proximal histidine in myoglobin with Nδ-methylhistidine, 5-thiazoylalanine, 4-thiazoylalanine and 3-(3-thienyl)alanine. In addition to tuning the heme redox potential over a >200 mV range, these noncanonical ligands modulate the protein's carbene transfer activity with ethyl diazoacetate. Variants with increased reduction potential proved superior for cyclopropanation and N–H insertion, whereas variants with reduced Eo values gave higher S–H insertion activity. Given the functional importance of histidine in many enzymes, these genetically encoded analogues could be valuable tools for probing mechanism and enabling new chemistries.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Histidine residues
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Heme
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: Cyclopropanation
Max TON: ---
ee: >99
PDB: ---
Notes: yield: styrene cyclopropanation 71% max, cf free heme <5%

Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Histidine residues
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Heme
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: N-H Insertion
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Yield: aniline insertion 74-93%

Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Histidine residues
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Heme
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: S-H insertion
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Yield: thiophenol insertion 18-36% but still outperforms heme

OsO4·Streptavidin: A Tunable Hybrid Catalyst for the Enantioselective cis-Dihydroxylation of Olefins

Ward, T.R.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 10863-10866, 10.1002/anie.201103632

Taking control: Selective catalysts for olefin dihydroxylation have been generated by the combination of apo‐streptavidin and OsO4. Site‐directed mutagenesis allows improvement of enantioselectivity and even inversion of enantiopreference in certain cases. Notably allyl phenyl sulfide and cis‐β‐methylstyrene were converted with unprecedented enantiomeric excess.


Metal: Os
Ligand type: Undefined
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: Dihydroxylation
Max TON: 16
ee: 97
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Preparation of Artificial Metalloenzymes by Insertion of Chromium(III) Schiff Base Complexes into apo-Myoglobin Mutants

Watanabe, Y.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2003, 42, 1005-1008, 10.1002/anie.200390256

Insertion of a symmetric metal complex, [CrIII(5,5′‐tBu‐salophen)]+ (H2salophen=N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine), into the active site of apomyoglobin is demonstrated (see picture). The metal ion and the ligand structure are very important factors that influence the binding affinity of the metal complex with the myoglobin (Mb) cavity. Semisynthetic metalloenzymes can catalyze enantioselective sulfoxidation by using the chiral protein cavity.


Metal: Cr
Ligand type: Salophen
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Reconstitution
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Regulating Transition Metal Catalysis Through Interference by Short RNAs

Nelson, H.M.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 16400-16404, 10.1002/anie.201905333

Herein we report the discovery of a AuI–DNA hybrid catalyst that is compatible with biological media and whose reactivity can be regulated by small complementary nucleic acid sequences. The development of this catalytic system was enabled by the discovery of a novel AuI‐mediated base pair. We found that AuI binds DNA containing C‐T mismatches. In the AuI–DNA catalyst's latent state, the AuI ion is sequestered by the mismatch such that it is coordinatively saturated, rendering it catalytically inactive. Upon addition of an RNA or DNA strand that is complementary to the latent catalyst's oligonucleotide backbone, catalytic activity is induced, leading to a sevenfold increase in the formation of a fluorescent product, forged through a AuI‐catalyzed hydroamination reaction. Further development of this catalytic system will expand not only the chemical space available to synthetic biological systems but also allow for temporal and spatial control of transition‐metal catalysis through gene transcription.


Metal: Au
Ligand type: C-T mismatch
Host protein: DNA
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Hydroamination
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Semi‐Rationally Designed Short Peptides Self‐Assemble and Bind Hemin to Promote Cyclopropanation

Korendovych, I.V.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 8108-8112, 10.1002/anie.201916712

The self-assembly of short peptides gives rise to versatile nanoassemblies capable of promoting efficient catalysis. We have semi-rationally designed a series of seven-residue peptides that form hemin-binding catalytic amyloids to facilitate enantioselective cyclopropanation with efficiencies that rival those of engineered hemin proteins. These results demonstrate that: 1) Catalytic amyloids can bind complex metallocofactors to promote practically important multisubstrate transformations. 2) Even essentially flat surfaces of amyloid assemblies can impart a substantial degree of enantioselectivity without the need for extensive optimization. 3) The ease of peptide preparation allows for straightforward incorporation of unnatural amino acids and the preparation of peptides made from d-amino acids with complete reversal of enantioselectivity.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Porphyrin
Host protein: Synthetic peptide
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: Cyclopropanation
Max TON: ---
ee: 40
PDB: ---
Notes: Max 88% yield

Significant Increase of Oxidase Activity through the Genetic Incorporation of a Tyrosine–Histidine Cross-Link in a Myoglobin Model of Heme–Copper Oxidase

Lu, Y.; Wang, J.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 4312-4316, 10.1002/anie.201108756

Top model: Heme–copper oxidase (HCO) contains a histidine–tyrosine cross‐link in its heme a3/CuB oxygen reduction center. A functional model of HCO was obtained through the genetic incorporation of the unnatural amino acid imiTyr, which mimics the Tyr–His cross‐link, and of the CuB site into myoglobin (see picture). Like HCO, this small soluble protein exhibits selective O2‐reduction activity while generating little reactive oxygen species.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 1100
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Sperm whale myoglobin