H.Lechner
et al.
(2021).
An Artificial Cofactor Catalyzing the Baylis-Hillman Reaction with Designed Streptavidin as Protein Host*.
Chembiochem,
22,
1573-1577.
PubMed id: 33400831
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000880
An Artificial Cofactor Catalyzing the Baylis-Hillman Reaction with Designed Streptavidin as Protein Host*.
H.Lechner,
V.R.Emann,
M.Breuning,
B.Höcker.
ABSTRACT
An artificial cofactor based on an organocatalyst embedded in a protein has been
used to conduct the Baylis-Hillman reaction in a buffered system. As protein
host, we chose streptavidin, as it can be easily crystallized and thereby
supports the design process. The protein host around the cofactor was rationally
designed on the basis of high-resolution crystal structures obtained after each
variation of the amino acid sequence. Additionally, DFT-calculated intermediates
and transition states were used to rationalize the observed activity. Finally,
repeated cycles of structure determination and redesign led to a system with an
up to one order of magnitude increase in activity over the bare cofactor and to
the most active proteinogenic catalyst for the Baylis-Hillman reaction known
today.