Biosynthesis of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate with an NADH-dependent reductase (ClCR) discovered by genome data mining using a modified colorimetric screening strategy.

An NADH-dependent reductase (ClCR) was discovered by genome data mining. After ClCR was overexpressed in E. coli BL21, recombinant E. coli CCZU-T15 with high reductase activity and excellent stereoselectivity for the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (COBE) into ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate [(S)-CHBE] was screened using a modified high-throughput colorimetric screening strategy. After the reaction optimization, a highly stereoselective bioreduction of COBE into (S)-CHBE (>99% ee) with the resting cells of E. coli CCZU-T15 was successfully demonstrated in toluene-water (50:50, v/v) biphasic system. Biotransformation of 1000 mM COBE for 24 h in the biphasic system, (S)-CHBE (>99% ee) could be obtained in the high yield of 96.4%. Significantly, E. coli CCZU-T15 shows high potential in the industrial production of (S)-CHBE (>99% ee).