Marine microorganisms as source of stereoselective esterases and ketoreductases: kinetic resolution of a prostaglandin intermediate.

A screening among bacterial strains isolated from water-brine interface of the deep hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) of the Eastern Mediterranean was carried out for the biocatalytical resolution of racemic propyl ester of anti-2-oxotricyclo[2.2.1.0]heptan-7-carboxylic acid (R,S)-1, a key intermediate for the synthesis of D-cloprostenol. Bacillus horneckiae 15A gave highly stereoselective reduction of (R,S)-1, whereas Halomonas aquamarina 9B enantioselectively hydrolysed (R,S)-1; in both cases, enantiomerically pure unreacted (R)-1 could be easily recovered and purified at molar conversion below 57-58%, showing the potential of DHAB extremophile microbiome and marine-derived enzymes in stereoselective biocatalysis.