A Natural Diels-Alder Biocatalyst Enables Efficient [4+2] Cycloaddition Under Harsh Reaction Conditions

Carbon-carbon bond formation is a fundamental transformation in both synthetic chemistry and biosynthesis. Enzymes catalyze such reactions with exquisite selectivity which often cannot be achieved using non-biological methods but may suffer from an intolerance of high temperature and the presence of organic solvents limiting their applications. Here we report the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the beta-barrel natural Diels-Alderase AbyU, which catalyzes formation of the spirotetronate core of the antimicrobial natural product abyssomicin C, with creation of 3 new asymmetric centers. This enzyme is shown to catalyze [4+2] cycloadditions at elevated temperature (up to 65 degrees C), and in the presence of organic solvents (MeOH, CH3CN and DMSO) and the chemical denaturant guanidinium hydrochloride, revealing that AbyU has potential widespread value as a biocatalyst.