Selection of a new whole cell biocatalyst for the synthesis of 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate

Abstract

2-Deoxyribose 5-phosphate (DR5P) is a key intermediate in the biocatalyzedpreparation of deoxyribonucleosides. Therefore, DR5P production by means of simpler,cleaner, and economic pathways becomes highly interesting. One strategy involves the useof bacterial whole cells containing DR5P aldolase as biocatalyst for the aldol additionbetween acetaldehyde and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate or glycolytic intermediates that insitu generate the acceptor substrate. In this work, diverse microorganisms capable ofsynthesizing DR5P were selected by screening several bacteria genera. In particular, Erwiniacarotovora ATCC 33260 was identified as a new biocatalyst that afforded 14.1-mM DR5Pstarting from a cheap raw material like glucose.