Enzymatic synthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids using a parallel cascade strategy and tyrosinase variants

Abstract

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid derived pharmaceuticals are widely applied in modern medicines. Recent studies on the microbial production of benzylisoquinolines have highlighted key biological syntheses towards these natural products. Routes to non-natural benzylisoquinolines have been less explored, particularly halogenated compounds which are more challenging. Here, we show the use of a tyrosinase, tyrosine decarboxylase, transaminase, and norcoclaurine synthase which are combined in a parallel cascade design, in order to generate halogenated benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in high enantiomeric excess. Notably, mutagenesis studies are applied to generate tyrosinase mutants, which enhance the acceptance of halogenated tyrosines for use in the biocatalytic cascades developed.