Application of L-threonine aldolase-catalyzed reaction to the preparation of protected 3R,5R-dihydroxy-L-homoproline as a mimetic of idulonic acid.

A facile synthesis of 3R,5R-dihydroxy-L-homoproline as idulonic acid mimic, of which the carboxyl and 3-hydroxyl groups were protected, was attained using L-threonine aldolase-catalyzed reaction. Idulonic acid is a key acidic sugar of the b-FGF binding domain in heparin and heparan sulfate. Moreover, the synthetic precursor of N-acetyl-4-deoxy-D-mannosamine, which is a potent inhibitor of NeuAc synthase, was prepared from the side product of the enzymatic aldol condensation. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.