Bioorthogonal Enzymatic Activation of Caged Compounds

Engineered cytochrome P450 monooxygenase variants are reported as highly active and selective catalysts for the bioorthogonal uncaging of propargylic and benzylic ether protected substrates, including uncaging in living E. coli. observed selectivity is supported by induced‐fit docking and molecular dynamics simulations. This proof‐of‐principle study points towards the utility of bioorthogonal enzyme/protecting group pairs for applications in the life sciences. The great escape: Engineered cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were used for the removal of propargylic and benzylic ether protecting groups in vitro and in living E. coli. Deprotection resulted in the release of uncaged alcohols, which in this case display fluorescence properties. Such bioorthogonal enzyme/protecting group pairs could provide a means for the selective release of imaging agents or the catalytic activation of prodrugs at their site of action.