Effects of Active‐Site Modification and Quaternary Structure on the Regioselectivity of Catechol‐O‐Methyltransferase. (19th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Law, Brian J. C.; Bennett, Matthew R.; Thompson, Mark L.; Levy, Colin; Shepherd, Sarah A.; Leys, David; Micklefield, Jason
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 128:Number 8(2016)
• Page Start: 2733
• Page End: 2737
• Publication Date: 2016-01-19
• Subjects: Biokatalyse -- Enzymstrukturen -- Methyltransferasen -- Protein-Engineering -- Regioselektivität; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201508287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: Catechol‐ O ‐methyltransferase (COMT), an important therapeutic target in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, is also being developed for biocatalytic processes, including vanillin production, although lack of regioselectivity has precluded its more widespread application. By using structural and mechanistic information, regiocomplementary COMT variants were engineered that deliver either meta ‐ or para ‐methylated catechols. X‐ray crystallography further revealed how the active‐site residues and quaternary structure govern regioselectivity. Finally, analogues of AdoMet are accepted by the regiocomplementary COMT mutants and can be used to prepare alkylated catechols, including ethyl vanillin.