Biomimicry of CO2 transfer through a biotin-mediated ATP-free pathway

Abstract

The in vivo bioprocess for the preparation of oxaloacetate from pyruvate is an energy-intensive process that depends on the reaction between the carbamimidic acid functionality of biotin and phosphorylated bicarbonate. In contrast, we report a first-time room-temperature approach that offers an in vitro alternative by exploiting the reactivity of the Mukaiyama-carbonic acid (MCA) adduct with biotin. Herein, the Mukaiyama reagent functions as an oxygen sink, bypassing the need for ATP-dependent phosphorylation and providing a benign pathway for biotin carboxylation under mild laboratory conditions, which facilitates CO₂ transfer to sodium pyruvate, leading to the formation of sodium oxaloacetate.