Abstract Improved prodrug‐activating enzymes have the potential to increase the therapeutic efficacy of gene‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT). Yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) is commonly used to convert the prodrug 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC) to the chemotherapeutic 5‐fluorouracil for GDEPT. Mutagenesis studies on yCD aimed at improving its application in GDEPT have been limited to subsets of residues or have sought to improve a single property of the enzyme. We performed comprehensive site‐saturation mutagenesis (CSM) on yCD designed to create all 2,983 possible unique protein mutants with a single amino acid substitution. We identified active variants throughEscherichia coligenetic complementation and screened these mutants, and combinations thereof, for increased ability to sensitizeE. coliand HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells to 5‐FC. Several mutants identified in this study showed increased sensitization ability for bothE. coliand HT1080 cells indicating that CSM is an effective directed evolution tool for identifying unexpectedly beneficial mutations.
more »
« less
Enantio- and Diastereodivergent Cyclopropanation of Allenes by Directed Evolution of an Iridium-Containing Cytochrome
Alkylidene cyclopropanes (ACPs) are valuable synthetic intermediates because of their constrained structure and opportunities for further diversification. Although routes to ACPs are known, preparations of ACPs with control of both the configuration of the cyclopropyl (R vs S) group and the geometry of the alkene (E vs Z) are unknown. We describe enzymatic cyclopropanation of allenes with ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) catalyzed by an iridium-containing cytochrome (Ir(Me)-CYP119) that controls both stereochemical elements. Two mutants of Ir(Me)-CYP119 identified by 6-codon (6c, VILAFG) saturation mutagenesis catalyze the formation of (E)-ACPs with −93% to >99% ee and >99:1 E/Z ratio with just three rounds of 96 mutants. By four additional rounds of mutagenesis, an enzyme variant was identified that forms (Z)-ACPs with up to 94% ee and a 28:72 E/Z ratio. Computational studies show that the orientation of the carbene unit dictated by the mutated positions accounts for the stereoselectivity.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2027943
- PAR ID:
- 10546094
- Publisher / Repository:
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Volume:
- 146
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 0002-7863
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1819 to 1824
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract Reactions of the IrVhydride [MeBDIDipp]IrH4{BDI=(Dipp)NC(Me)CH(Me)CN(Dipp); Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3} with E[N(SiMe3)2]2(E=Sn, Pb) afforded the unusual dimeric dimetallotetrylenes ([MeBDIDipp]IrH)2(μ2‐E)2in good yields. Moreover, ([MeBDIDipp]IrH)2(μ2‐Ge)2was formed in situ from thermal decomposition of [MeBDIDipp]Ir(H)2Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2. These reactions are accompanied by liberation of HN(SiMe3)2and H2through the apparent cleavage of an E−N(SiMe3)2bond by Ir−H. In a reversal of this process, ([MeBDIDipp]IrH)2(μ2‐E)2reacted with excess H2to regenerate [MeBDIDipp]IrH4. Varying the concentrations of reactants led to formation of the trimeric ([MeBDIDipp]IrH2)3(μ2‐E)3. The further scope of this synthetic route was investigated with group 15 amides, and ([MeBDIDipp]IrH)2(μ2‐Bi)2was prepared by the reaction of [MeBDIDipp]IrH4with Bi(NMe2)3or Bi(OtBu)3to afford the first example of a “naked” two‐coordinate Bi atom bound exclusively to transition metals. A viable mechanism that accounts for the formation of these products is proposed. Computational investigations of the Ir2E2(E=Sn, Pb) compounds characterized them as open‐shell singlets with confined nonbonding lone pairs at the E centers. In contrast, Ir2Bi2is characterized as having a closed‐shell singlet ground state.more » « less
-
Abstract 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 andE/Zselectivities 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.more » « less
-
Abstract We present a visual, quantitative analysis of the academic pathways of Black men and women who enroll in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Mechanical Engineering (ME) at any point during their undergraduate experience (N=4816). Our research provides evidence that more Black students choose EE than ME, in contrast to national data for all races that show that more students major in ME than EE. While more Black students initially enroll in EE overall, ME attracts a larger proportion of its Black students from other majors and retains a larger fraction. Black women are particularly persistent in ME (58%). Most Black students who leave EE or ME leave the institution without a degree. Seventy-eight percent of Black men and 65% of Black women who leave ME leave the institution without a degree. Of those leaving EE, 74% of Black men and 64% of Black women leave the institution without a degree. This examination of quantitative differences between disciplines lays a foundation for qualitative study through in depth student interviews of Black students in these majors.more » « less
-
null (Ed.)In this Research Full Paper we examine the reported experiences of Black students who are majoring in or switched from electrical (EE), computer (CPE), or mechanical (ME) engineering. Prior work has shown different persistence trajectories for Black students in these majors relative to White students, as well as differences between Black men and Black women. We surveyed 79 students at four institutions in the USA, three Predominantly White Institutions and 1 Historically Black University. In all, 33 students who had ever majored in ME, 27 in CPE, and 19 in EE completed a pre-interview survey that asked about aspects of the learning environment, faculty and peer relationships, and perception of belonging. Fifty-six students persisted in these majors while 23 switched to other majors. Compared to switchers, persisters are more likely to feel that the quality of instruction is higher, feel more encouraged by professors and peers to continue, and feel a greater sense of belonging in their departments. ME students are much more likely to experience group learning in their classes than either EE or CPE students and their ME peers are more likely to encourage them to persist. The difference in persistence between EE and CPE may be explained in part by the attraction of the computer science major as an alternative option for computer engineering majors; half of our CPE switchers switched to computer science. However, teaching quality may be an additional factor as CPE students perceived teaching quality to be lower than EE students did. Future research will explore these findings in the context of our in-depth interviews with these students. Keywords—Black Students, Persistence, Classroom Experiences, Faculty-Student Interaction, MIDFIELDmore » « less
An official website of the United States government

