The Chemoenzymatic Stature of Short Handles

Polyketide synthase enzymes naturally operate on acyl chains bound to pantetheinyl arms from Coenzyme A or a holo-ACP. These enzymes have proven to be biocatalytically useful, with ketosynthases forging carbon-carbon bonds and ketoreductases setting stereocenters. Traditionally, N-acetylcysteamine has been employed as a handle for in vitro reactions. This seminar discusses the utility of alternate, shorter handles in biocatalytic reactions.