Computationally Designed Enzyme Models to Replace Natural Enzymes in Prodrug Approaches

Abstract

The striking efficiency of enzyme catalysis has inspired many organic chemists to explore enzyme mechanisms by studying certain intra molecular processes such as enzyme models which proceed faster than their intermolecular counterparts. This research brings about the important question of whether enzyme models will replace natural enzymes in the conversion of prodrugs to their parental drugs. Enzymes are mandatory for the inter conversion of many prodrugs to their parental drugs. Among the most important enzymes in the bioconversion of prodrugs are amides (ex. trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, carboxypeptidase, and aminopeptidase) and ester-based prodrugs (ex. paraoxonase, carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase). Most of these enzymes are hydrolytic enzymes, however, non-hydrolytic enzymes, including all cytochrome P450 enzymes, are also capable of catalyzing the bioconversion of ester and amide-based prodrugs [1].