Molecular Basis for Stereospecific Hydrolysis of Ethyl Mandelate by Thermophilic Esterase

The stereospecific hydrolysis of mandelate can be effectively catalyzed by hyperthermophilic acylpeptide esterase APE 1547(Aeropyrum pernix esterase 1547). APE 1547 used in this reaction showed a remarkable stereodi-scrimination in favour of R-mandelic acid(99% e.e.) with an enantiomeric ratio E200. The results of computer simulation are consistent with the experimental results. It can be inferred that the R-substrate adopted a binding mode productive of the reaction due to the formation of the hydrogen bond at the active site of APE 1547.