Efficacy of the Ascorbic Acid Stereoisomers in Proline Hydroxylation in Vitro

Abstract

The two uncommon stereoisomers of ascorbic acid have been prepared by alkaline isomerization of L-xylo and D-arabo ascorbate. All four stereoisomers of ascorbic acid have been tested for their efficacy in promoting the hydroxylation of peptidyl proline using the procedure of Hutton et al. and showed comparable efficiency in this system. Thus no stereospecific role for ascorbate in prolyl hydroxylation is demonstrated for the hydroxylation reaction itself.