Bioinspired Catalysis: Self-Assembly of a Protein and DNA as a Catalyst for the Aldol Reaction in Aqueous Media

An interesting bioinspired catalyst formed from readily available DNA and a protein through electrostatic interaction in situ proved to be efficient in catalyzing aldol reactions under mild conditions in water. By using a self-assembling catalytic system formed from protamine and DNA, aldol adducts were obtained with high yields and moderate enantioselectivities. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that the chirality of the DNA could be effectively transferred to the reaction product through the bound molecules or proteins.