Optimum conformational flexibility of subtilisin to maximize the enantioselectivity for subtilisin-catalysed transesterification in an organic solvent with an addition of dimethyl sulfoxide

Abstract

For subtilisin-catalysed transesterification of the racemic esters in i-octane containing dimethyl sulfoxide as an additive, the relationship between the enantioselectivity and the conformational flexibility of subtilisin estimated from the ESR spectroscopic study provides the first experimental evidence that the enzyme has the optimum flexibility to produce the maximal enantioselectivity toward the given substrates.