Novel Imine Reductases (IREDs) for the enantioselective preparation of primary amines

Scientists from the Max-Planck-Institute for terrestrial Microbiology have identified novel IREDs derived from P. denitrificans which reduce free primary imines to chiral primary amines.

The newly identified IREDs are highly specific for the reduction of primary imines to primary amines and do not convert secondary imines to secondary amines or ketones to tertiary amines. Moreover, the IREDs possess a high cofactor specificity towards NADH. Compared to NADPH, NADH is less expensive, more stable and can be applied for cofactor regeneration systems in whole cells on a larger scale. Therefore, IREDs having a specificity for NADH as cofactor are highly desirable for use in in vivo or in vitro reduction of imines for different applications on an industrial scale.

We are now looking for a collaboration partner to further develop and/or apply these powerful catalysts (e.g. for a concrete application in synthesis), We are also open for developing or licensing the scaffolds for enzyme engineering or complementation of commercial enzyme libraries with partners.

A PCT application was filed on December, 9th 2019: WO2020120420A1. National in EP and US.

Schada von Borzyskowski et al., Nature 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1748-4