Quantum mechanics

Quark

Catalysis

Enantioselective synthesis

Conjugate

Reaction mechanism

Diastereomer

Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model

Imine

Alkene

Reductive amination

Combinatorial chemistry

Physics

Organic chemistry

Biocatalysis

Amination

Mathematics

Amine gas treating

Mathematical analysis

Chirality (physics)

Chemistry

Chiral symmetry breaking

Nature

Chiral amine diastereomers are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals1, yet their preparation often relies on low-efficiency multi-step synthesis2. These valuable compounds must be manufactured asymmetrically, as their biochemical properties can differ based on the chirality of the molecule. Herein we characterize a multifunctional biocatalyst for amine synthesis, which operates using a mechanism that is, to our knowledge, previously unreported. This enzyme (EneIRED), identified within a metagenomic imine reductase (IRED) collection3 and originating from an unclassified Pseudomonas species, possesses an unusual active site architecture that facilitates amine-activated conjugate alkene reduction followed by reductive amination. This enzyme can couple a broad selection of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls with amines for the efficient preparation of chiral amine diastereomers bearing up to three stereocentres. Mechanistic and structural studies have been carried out to delineate the order of individual steps catalysed by EneIRED, which have led to a proposal for the overall catalytic cycle. This work shows that the IRED family can serve as a platform for facilitating the discovery of further enzymatic activities for application in synthetic biology and organic synthesis.

Multifunctional biocatalyst for conjugate reduction and reductive amination