Accession Number:

ADA243010

Title:

Lipases: Structure, Function and Applications in Biotransformations: A Descriptive Summary of an International Conference Held in Coventry (United Kingdom) on 16-18 July 1991

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

WARWICK UNIV COVENTRY (UNITED KINGDOM)

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1991-07-18

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

It is now well recognised that lipases play an important role in biotransformations, i.e. the transformations of chemical substances into other substances in reactions catalysed by these enzymes. Lipases are the most frequently used enzymes in this area and their use in organic synthesis, particularly where control of stereochemistry is important, is nowadays widespread. The stereochemistry of biologically active compounds is recognised as of considerable, and sometimes critical, importance. Stereoisomers of given compounds always exhibit differences in biological systems, and sometimes these differences are crucial. The case of thalidomide is perhaps the most telling example of this phenomenon. That one stereoisomer of thalidomide was a harmless sedative and the other a dangerous teratogen was recognised too late to spare many hundreds of families the tragedy of children born with extreme deformities.

Descriptors:

• *CONTROL
• SYNTHESIS
• ENZYMES
• UNITED KINGDOM
• ORGANIC MATERIALS
• INTERNATIONAL
• STEREOCHEMISTRY
• CHILDREN
• BIOLOGY
• DEFORMATION

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE