Preparation of (S)2-methylsuccinate and (2S,3S) [2,3-2H]2-methylsuccinate by biohydrogenation of 2-methylfumarate.

2-Methylfumarate can be hydrogenated by resting cells of Proteus mirabilis under an atmosphere of hydrogen gas. Optically pure (S)2-methylsuccinate is formed in a yield greater than 95%. The hydrogen addition, presumably catalyzed by the fumarate reductase, occurs in a trans fashion, as with succinate dehydrogenase of mammalian systems. Only one reactive enzyme-substrate complex with 2-methylfumarate seems to be possible.