Methods for producing α-substituted carboxylic acids using nitrilases and strecker reagents

US7300775B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Verenium Corporation · US

Inventors

• Mark Madden · San Diego, US
• Jennifer Ann Chaplin · San Diego, US
• Dan E. Robertson · San Diego, US
• David Weiner · Echt, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 27, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure α-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, α-amino acids and α-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an anmionium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the enantiomerically pure α-substituted carboxylic acid, such as, for example, α-amino acids and α-hydroxy acids.