Highly efficient bioreduction of 2-hydroxyacetophenone to (S)- and (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol by two substrate tolerance carbonyl reductases with cofactor regeneration
Two stereocomplementary NADH-dependent carbonyl reductases were discovered for the first time for highly stereoselective bioreduction of 2-HAP to enantiopure PED. Strong substrate tolerance of the two enzymes was demonstrated. Effective cofactor regeneration system was constructed by glucose dehydrogenase, complete conversions were achieved. Biotransformation of 2-HAP (at 54 g/L scale) to enantiopure PED with recombinant E. coli whole cells was achieved without external addition of an expensive cofactor.