Activity of Lipases and Esterases towards Tertiary Alcohols: Insights into Structure���Function Relationships

Abstract

A single amino acid pattern (GGG(A)X motif) in hydrolases controls their activity towards tertiary alcohols. Consequently, a range of active lipases and esterases which catalyze the efficient conversion of acetates of different tertiary alcohols (see scheme) and thereby facilitate access to this class of building blocks for organic synthesis, flavors, and fragrances was identified by sequence comparison. Hydrolases bearing an alternative GX motif were inactive. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2002/z18885_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.