METHOD FOR LATE INTRODUCTION OF THE (8R)-HYDROXYL GROUP IN CARBAPENEM .BETA.-LACTAM ANTIBIOTIC SYNTHESIS

摘要

The presently disclosed subject matter demonstrates that ThnG and ThnQ enzymes encoded by the thienamycin gene cluster in Streptomyces cattleya oxidize the C-2 and C-6 moieties of carbapenems, respectively. ThnQ stereospecifically hydroxylates PS-5 giving N-acetyl thienamycin. ThnG catalyzes sequential desaturation and sulfoxidation of PS-5, giving PS-7 and its sulfoxide. The ThnG and ThnQ enzymes are relatively substrate selective, but give rise to the oxidative diversity of carbapenems produced by S. cattleya, and orthologues likely function similarly in allied streptomyces.