Properties, biosynthesis, and catalytic mechanisms of hydroxy-amino-acids

The hydroxy amino acids have its unique effects in the biotechnology and molecular biology, and all sorts of synthetic hydroxy amino acids have also been developed. The hydroxy amino acids have been proved to be valuable for antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer properties and known as a constituent of pharmaceutical intermediates. In addition to these fundamental researches, the hydroxy amino acids are applied widely to the synthesis of chiral drugs, such as (2S, 3R, 4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL) is proved to be worthy in medical treatment, cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (C4LHyp) and trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (T4LHyp) are applied to build the chiral intermediates in pharmaceutical synthesis. Through comparisons chemical synthesis with biological catalysis to form hydroxy amino acids, enantioselective biocatalysts will undoubtedly be used in the synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals. Mononuclear non-heme Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe/αKGDs) that use an Fe(IV) complex intermediate to active diverse oxidative transformations with key biological roles. Studies identifying the important intermediates in catalysis and the proposed mechanisms are explained. In summary, we describe the physiological properties and synthesis regarding hydroxy amino acids, particularly 4-HIL and hydroxyproline. And the proposed catalysis mechanisms of Fe/αKGDs are also explained, while we also discussed the applications of hydroxy amino acids in fundamental research and industrial.