(19)
(11)EP 2 017 267 A1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43)Date of publication:
21.01.2009 Bulletin 2009/04

(21)Application number: 07112529.8

(22)Date of filing:  16.07.2007
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
C07D 239/42(2006.01)
C07C 217/46(2006.01)
C07D 309/10(2006.01)
(84)Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR MK RS

(71)Applicant: LEK Pharmaceuticals d.d.
1526 Ljubljana (SI)

(72)Inventors:
  • Kopitar, gregor
    1235 Radomlje, (SI)
  • Mrak, Peter
    4209 Zabnica (SI)
  • Oslaj, Matej
    4000 Kranj (SI)

(74)Representative: Kröger, Bernd et al
Sandoz International GmbH Global Patents Department Industriestrasse 25
83607 Holzkirchen
83607 Holzkirchen (DE)

 
Remarks:
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
 


(54)Synthesis of statins


(57) The process for synthesis of statins is presented where the intermediate intermediate (4R,6S)-6-(dialkoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol which already possesses the desired stereochemistry corresponding to final statin is prepared by an aldolaze.


Description

Field of the Invention



[0001] The present invention relates in general to the field of biotechnology and in particular to a process for the preparation of intermediates for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, known also as statins, particularly to rosuvastatin. Specifically this invention relates to preparation of a common intermediate which can be used for preparation of all statins.

Background of the Invention



[0002] Statins, of which the representative examples may be selected from rosuvastatin, cerivastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, bervastatin, dalvastatin or their analogs or pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin or their analogs share a characteristic structure, consisting of respectively a heptenoic or heptanoic acid moiety (free acid, salt or lactone) connected to the aromatic or alicyclic core. Biological activity of statins is closely related to their stereochemistry, especially configuration at the chiral atoms of said heptenoic or heptanoic acid moiety.

[0003] The sequential aldol reactions catalyzed by deoxyribose aldolase are described in J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 117, 29, (1995) pp 7585. Use of aldolases (in particular 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase) in the synthesis of statins is known from WO 06/134482. Enzymed used belong to class: EC 4.1.2.4. - deoxyribose -5-phosphate aldolaze. WO 05/118794 is concerned with improving the enzyme using known substrates.

Disclosure of the Invention



[0004] Our invention is concerned with choice of suitable substrates which are enyzmaticaly converted into (4R,6S)-6-(dialkoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-dioles or (4R,6S)-6-(alkylenedioxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-dioles.

[0005] One aspect of the invention is a process comprising the step of reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III)

wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention is a process for manufacturing rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof comprising the steps of
  1. a) reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation to form the corresponding lactol (III) wherein the substrate (I) has formula

    where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6;
  2. b) converting said lactol into compound of formula

  3. c) subjecting said compound obtained in step b) to conditions sufficient to produce rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof.


[0007] The particular aspects of the invention are where acceptor substrate is selected among: 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (preferred), 2,2-diethoxyethanal, 2,2-dipropoxyethanal, 2,2-dibutoxyethanal, 1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde,, 4-butyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde and a process wherein said aldolase is selected from DERA 01, DERA 02, DERA 03, DERA 04, DERA 05, DERA 06, DERA 07, DERA 08, DERA 09, DERA 10, DERA 11, DERA 12 DERA 13, DERA 14, DERA 15, DERA 16, DERA 17, DERA 18, DERA 19, DERA 20, DERA 21 DERA 22, nd DERA 23 or an aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of any of said aldolases, and in particular wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 90% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 80% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.

[0008] The process aspect of invention are embodied in reaction conditions wherein pH for aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation is maintained in range 6 to 10, in particular wherein pH is maintained with buffer in pH range 7 to 9, more particular in use of phosphate buffer.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention is use of aldolase for the reaction of a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III) wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6 in particular wherein said aldolase is 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, more in particular wherein aldolase is selected from DERA 01 to DERA 23. In particular said aldolase is in aspect of the invention comprised within living whole cell, or is comprised within inactivated whole cell, or is comprised within homogenized whole cell, or is comprised within cell free extract, or is purified enzyme, or is immobilized, or is in form of extracelularly expressed protein.

[0010] Invention is in an aspect a process for preparing the compound of formula (III)

wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6,
consisting of steps of:
  1. a) admixing the substrate of formula (I)

    wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6,
    with
    acetaldehyde and
    2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase
    in an aqueous medium at pH value of 7 to 9, specifically 7,1 to 8,5 at temperature at about 30 - 50° Cm specificlay 30 to 40 °C to form a reaction mixture;
  2. b) maintaining said reaction mixture at said temperature and pH value for time period between 1 h and 6 h; and
  3. c) recovering said compound of formula (III),


[0011] Aspect of the invention are novel compounds of formula:

where R1 is H or a protecting group; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.

Detailed description of the Invention


T



[0012] The present invention provides for enzymatic synthesis of intermediates AVL', which is chemically (4R,6S)-6-(dialkoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol or (4R,6S)-6-(alkylenedioxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol of general formula:

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form (an optionally C1-C4 alkyl substituted) cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.

[0013] The feature of an early intermediate AVL' and in particular AVL, which is chemically (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol is that is possesses the desired stereochemistry, avoiding subsequent separations of later intermediates. AVL' or AVL is chemically an aldehyde acetal which behaves as a masked (protected) aldehyde what eliminates the necessity for the oxidation synthetic step in the synthesis of statins. Rosuvastatin can be prepared starting from said early intermediate AVL' as disclosed on following scheme.





[0014] To produce other statins the (2S,4R)-4-(protected)-6-oxo-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-carbaldehyde FL' or its hydrate should be reacted under condition of Wittig coupling with an appropriate reagent followed by hydrogenation when needed.

[0015] The appropriate reagent is a heterocylic or alicyclic derivatives (skeleton of statin) of following formula :

where A can be a bond or O;
and wherein Rx, Ry, and Rz, are the same or different and are selected from optionally substituted C1 - C8 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl or C1 - C8 alkenyl or C5-C6 cycloalkenyl or aryl;
and X is an anion, preferably halogen or RCOO- anion, more preferably chloride, bromide or trifluoroacetate;
and Het is selected so that it forms a heterocyclic or alicyclic skeleton of a statin;
other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (preferably selected among cerivastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, bervastatin, dalvastatin) can be analogously prepared.

[0016] Heterocyclic or alicyclic skeleton of statin is in particular selected from:





[0017] The invention provides enzymatic process using the substrate (I) and acetaldehyde (II) to form corresponding lactole (III) in an aldolase catalysed aldol condensation reaction as presented on following scheme:

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form an optionally substituted cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6. Structure III according to the invention has a strictly defined stereoisomery at position 4 and 6, while other chiral centers may be present in both possibilities forming mixtures of epimers. The changeable chiral centers are not essential for the synthesis of the final product of the invention because the chirality of these carbon atoms is lost during the synthetic procedure.

[0018] The term "aldolase-catalyzed aldol condensation conditions" as used herein refers to any aldol condensation conditions known in the art that can be catalyzed by an aldolase, as described herein. In particular the aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions are such that allow forming and accumulation of desired product. These conditions include in one aspect that the aldolase is active enzyme provided at sufficient load to be able to perform the sequential condensation, in another aspect that the substrate and acetaldehyde are present in the reaction in an amount that does not inhibit the activity of the aldolase, in another aspect that the temperature, pH, solvent composition, agitation and length of reaction allow accumulation of desired product, in another aspect that said conditions do not have detrimental effect on product stability. Specifically those conditions are defined by values disclosed in examples.

[0019] Aldolase activity towards above substrate (I) means that specified enzyme either isolated and or purified, or immobilized or within living cell, or comprised within inactivated whole cell, or comprised in homogenized cell material, or in cell free extract will catalyze the above reaction giving of I and II giving III.

[0020] The term "conditions sufficient to produce statin (in particular rosuvastatin) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof" as used herein refers to those means described in the art, including those means described herein.

[0021] The term an "organism over expressing biologically active form of an aldolase" as used herein refers to any organism having the aldolase expression under control of a strong promoter, and where the aldolase is expressed at high levels (compared to w.t. expression control) and is accumulated intracellularly of extracellularly. The process of making such organism is well known to a person skilled in the art. The present invention provides an example of making such organism.

[0022] An aldolase for use in the present invention may be any compound that has aldolase activity towards above substrate (I) In one embodiment of the invention, the aldolase is a 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA). Examples of a suitable DERA - aldolase include, but are not limited to: DERA 01, DERA 02, DERA 03, DERA 04, DERA 05, DERA 06, DERA 07, DERA 08, DERA 09, DERA 10, DERA 11, DERA 12, DERA 13, DERA 14, DERA 15, DERA 16, DERA 17, DERA 18, DERA 19, DERA 20, DERA 21,DERA 22 and DERA 23 which are identified by their nucleotide sequences or respective codon optimized nucleotide sequences or amino acid sequences set forth in sequence listings.

[0023] In general any of the DERA aldolases known in art may be used for the reaction regardless of their sequence identity to the above listed DERA aldolases. The invention provides examples of performing said reactions successfully with two different aldolases having only 30.1% identity. The yields of the reaction however may depend on each aldolases substrate specificity and inhibitory effects of the substrates on each aldolase.

DERA 01 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; DERA 01 (E. Coli) is commercially available from Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA, under catalog number 91252.

DERA 02 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5; DERA 02 is described in William A. Greenberg, et al., PNAS, (2004), Vol. 101 , No. 16, pp. 5788

DERA 03 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7

DERA 04 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9

DERA 05 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11

DERA 06 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13

DERA 07 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15

DERA 08 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17

DERA 09 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19

DERA 10 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21

DERA 11 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23

DERA 12 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25

DERA 13 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27

DERA 14 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29

DERA 15 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31

DERA 16 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33

DERA 17 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35

DERA 18 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37

DERA 19 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39

DERA 20 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41

DERA 21 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43

DERA 22 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45

DERA 23 is an aldolase having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47



[0024] The aldolase encompases aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 50% thereof; preferably, at least 70% thereof, to a aldolases described herein. The amino acid sequence identities are determined by analysis with sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection. In one aspect, the sequence comparison algorithm is made with AlignX algorithm of Vector NTI 9.0 ( InforMax ) with settings set to default.

[0025] In particular the invention provides for a process comprising the step of reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III)

wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6, and subsequent use thereof in the synthesis of statins (in particular rosuvastain); wherein the aldolaze is selected in first embodiment from DERA 01 or DERA 06 or DERA 07, or any aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 90% to those or in another embodiment wherein the aldolaze is selected in first embodiment from DERA 02 or DERA 15 or DERA 16, or any aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 90% to those.

[0026] The DERA aldolases described herein can be prepared by any means known in the art, including but not limited to standard protocols for protein expression in recombinant E. coli such as described in Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3'^" Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, NY 2001. Modified versions of known DERA aldolases may be necessary or may result depending on cloning conditions and are encompassed by the present invention.

[0027] The DERA aldolases described herein can be used in any biologically active form. In one embodiment the aldolase is active and can be used in the form of living whole cell catalyst. In one embodiment the aldolase is active and can be used in the form of inactivated whole cell catalyst. In one embodiment the the aldolase is active and can be used in the form of homogenized whole cell catalyst. In one embodiment the the aldolase is active and can be used in the form of cell free extract. In one embodiment the the aldolase is active and can be used in form purified enzyme by means of any methods known in the art. In another aspect the aldolase is active and can be used in form of extracelularly expressed protein.

[0028] Alternatively the invention provides a method of making intermediates for production of statins by using whole cell catalyst. The whole cell catalyst in one embodiment is any prokaryotic organism over expressing biologically active form of an aldolase. In particular embodiment the whole cell catalyst is Escherichia coli over expressing biologically active form of an aldolase.

[0029] Substrates and reaction conditions were chosen to give optimum activity of an aldolase used to make the intermediates useful for statin production.

[0030] The substrates (I) are in first aspect selected according to their inhibitory effects towards aldolase activity. In particular the acceptor substrates with the least inhibitory effect are suitable for the reaction.

[0031] The substrates (I) are also selected according to their and to the corresponding lactol (III) product stability at optimal reaction conditions. In particular the acceptor substrates with the best stability are preferred for the reaction.

[0032] The substrates (I) may be in particular 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (preferred), 2,2-diethoxyethanal, 2,2-dipropoxyethanal, 2,2-dibutoxyethanal, 1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-butyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde,. Alternatively the substrates may be the structures which in conditions of the enzymatic reaction lead to said abstracts in situ like

wherein substituents A are the same or different selected from OH, C1-C4 alkoxy, halo and azido groups.

[0033] Generally aldolase will be provided in a suitable vessel or reactor, and the substrate (I) and acetaldehyde will be added batch-wise or continuously.

[0034] Specifically aldolase is prepared in an aqueous solution (particularly in concentration 0,1 g/L to 3g/L) optionally in presence of salt (in particular NaCl in concentration from 50 to 500 mM), aqueous solution may contain organic solvents miscible with water( in particular dimethyl sulfoxide in concentration from 2 to 15% V/V), and may be buffered to pH 6 to 11. Suitable buffers can be prepared from: acids, bases, salts or mixtures thereof, and any other buffer system known in the art except those possessing primary, secondary or tertiary amino group. In particular, phosphate buffer, in concentration 10 to 500 mM can be used. The aqueous solution can also be prepared by adding the said aldolase to water and maintaining pH during the reaction by means of automated addition of inorganic acids, bases, salts or mixtures thereof.

[0035] In the process aspect the substrate (I) may be added to the reaction mixture continuously or alternatively the substrate (I) are added to the reaction mixture in one batch or more batches. In one aspect the total amount of substrates added to the mixture is such that the total amount of substate (I) added would be from about 20 mmol per liter of reaction mixture to about 2 mol per liter of reaction mixture, in particular from about 100 mmol per liter of reaction mixture to about 1,5 mmol per liter of reaction mixture, more particular from about 200 mmol per liter of reaction mixture to about 700 mmol per liter of reaction mixture. Acetaldehyde may be added by several means. In one aspect the acetaldehyde is added to the reaction mixture in one batch or more batches or alternatively continuously. Acetaldehyde may be premised with substrate (I) and added to reaction mixture. The total amount of acetaldehyde added to the reaction mixture is from about 0.1 to about 4 molar equivalents to total amount of acceptor substrate, in particular from about 2 to about 2,5 molar equivalents.

[0036] Alternatively aldolase may be added to reaction mixture containing at least one of substrate (I) or acetaldehyde. The reaction mixture is understood to comprise solvent and at least one of aldolase or substrate (I) or acetaldehyde.

[0037] In one aspect the pH used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about pH 5 to about pH 12. In one embodiment the pH used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about pH 6 to about pH 10. In one embodiment the pH used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about pH 7 to about pH 9. Specifically the pH will be mantaind by suitable buffer in range 7,2 to 8,5.

[0038] Some commonly used buffers can lover the yield of the forementioned aldolase-catalysed reaction by limiting availability of aldolase-condensation intermediates particularly first condensation reaction products as they may undergo chemical reaction with a buffer. We discovered that bis-tris propan reacts with said intermediates ( (S)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethoxybutanal ) giving (S,Z)-2-(3-((1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl)(3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethoxybut-1-enyl)amino)propylamino)-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol. Other buffers that may react similarily are bis-tris, tricin, tris, bicin or any other buffer having primary, secondary or tertiary amino group. Thus a suitable buffers for adjusting the pH, if this adjustment is needed, are made with acids, bases, salts or mixtures thereof in particular phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxyde.

[0039] In one aspect the temperature used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about 20 to about 70 °C. In one embodiment the temperature used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about 25 to about 60 °C. In one embodiment the temperature used for aldolase-catalyzed reaction is from about 30 to about 50 °C.

[0040] The reaction is industrially suitable, as it proceeds to completion within few hours.

[0041] The effects of reaction conditions, notably pH, temperature and reaction time are surprising, especially in view of teaching of J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 117, 29, (1995) pp 7585, where the reaction with 2,2-dimethoxyethanal did not proceed even in 6 days.

[0042] After completion of reaction the enzyme is removed from the reaction mixture by addition of at least about 1 vol. of acetonitrile to 1 vol of reaction mixture. Alternatively the enzyme is removed by any salting out method known in the art. In one embodiment the salting out is performed with addition of ammonium sulfate of at least 5% m/V.

[0043] The invention also provides purification method for obtaining pure lactols produced by reaction. In one aspect the acetonitrile is evaporated from the reaction mixture and aqueous solution remaining is than liophylised. In another aspect the salting-out solution is liophylised. The powdered remain is than suspended in MTBE (methyl-t-butylether) /methanol 1:1. The suspension is filtered to remove unsoluble salts and fitrate is loaded to a silicagel column using MTBE/Methanol 1:1 as mobile phase.

[0044] In particular embodiment the invention provides for the reaction of 2,2-dimethoxyethanal with acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation to form (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol wherein the used aldolase is DERA 01, DERA 02 or DERA... in an appropriate solvent (in particular aqueous solvent, which may be water in mixture with water soluble organic solvent) in ph range from 6 to 11, in particular 7 to 9 (adjusted if needed with acids, bases, salts or mixtures thereof in particular with phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxyde), wherein the reaction proceeds at temperature around 35-40 ° C and the conversion is finished in 1 to 6 hours.

[0045] In general aldolaze used is prepared by methods of protein expression described in in Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory Manual 2nd Edition, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor. Gene coding aldolase is cloned into an expression vector and the enzyme is expressed in suitable expression host.

[0046] The reaction yields are calculated relatively to total amount of substrate (I) added to the reaction mixtures and they are determined as ratio between moles of isolated product and moles of substrate (I) added to the reaction mixture.

[0047] The following examples illustrate the process of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1


Preparation of aldolase



[0048] Escherichia coli gene deoC has been amplified using oligonucleotide primers CGGGATCCACTGATCTGAAAGCAAGCAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 48) and GCAAGCTTGCTGCTGGCGCTCTTACC (SEQ ID NO: 49) in a PCR reaction using isolated genome DNA from E. coli K-12 strain. The product was cleaved with restriction endonucleases BamHI and HindIII and the resulting fragment has been separated on agarose gel electrophoresis and purified. An expression vector pQE30 (Qiagene inc., Valencia, CA, USA) has been cleaved using the same fore mentioned restriction endonucleases and purified. The fragments have been assembled in a T4 ligase reaction. Competent Escherichia coli DH5alpha cells were transformed with the above mentioned ligation reaction. Ampicilin resistance colonies were cultured and plasmid DNA has been isolated. The resulting construct has been designated pQE30DeraC and sequenced for conformation of the gene sequence. Aldolase expressing organism has been prepared by transforming competent Escherichia coli TOP10 F' strain (Invitrogen corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA) with vector pQE30DeraC. The methods used for the process are described in Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory Manual 2nd Edition, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor and are well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0049] Terrific Broth media (150 mL, 12 g/L bacto tryptone, 24 g/L bacto yeast extract, 4 mUL glycerol, 2.31 g/L KH2PO4, 12.54 g/L K2HPO4) supplemented with ampicillin (100 µg/mL) was inoculated with 3 mL of TOP10 F' PQE30DeraC overnight culture. Cells were grown (37 °C, 250 rpm) until OD600 reached approx. 0.8. Protein expression was induced with IPTG (1 mM final concentration) and cells were left in the same growing conditions for additional 4 h. The cell pelet was harvested by centrifugation (10 min, 6000 g, 4 °C).The pellet was resuspended in phosphate buffer (9mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 300 mM NaCl ) giving whole cell catalyst. Alternatively the pellet was resuspended in lytic buffer (9 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 300 mM NaCl, 2 mM DTT). Cells were sonified (3 x 15 s) using Branson digital sonifier and cell debris was removed by sedimentation (10 min, 20 000 g, 4 °C). Clear aqueous solution of DERA 01 was thus obtained.

Example 2


Preparation of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol [1]



[0050] 



[0051] To a solution of phosphate buffer (700 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 300mM NaCl) and 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (100 mL, 0.5 M in phosphate buffer as described above) an aqueous solution of DERA 01 (100ml, prepared according to example 1) and solution of acetaldehyde (Fluka, 100 mL, 1.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above) was added. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was regulated at 8.0 with NaOH. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography (GC). After 3 h the proteins in the reaction mixture (1 L) were precipitated with acetonitrile (4 L) and the solution was filtrated using celite and glass filter. The acetonitrile was evaporated and residual water was removed with liophilization to give the crude lactol [1] (18 g), which was directly solubilized, filtered and submitted to silica-gel column (methanol/t-butyl methyl ether 1:1). Fractions were collected and analyzed with thin-layer silica-gel chromatography (diisopropyl ether/acetonitrile 2:1). The solvent from the fraction with the product [1] was evaporated and the dried product (154 mg, 1.6 % yield) was analyzed with 1H and 13C NMR. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.4-1.9 (m), 3.42 (s), 4.15-4.35 (m), 5.25 (d). 13C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 32.8, 35.0, 54.5, 54.9, 62.8, 64.5, 92.9, 105.7.

Example 3


Preparation of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol [1]



[0052] 



[0053] To a solution of phosphate buffer (700 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 300mM NaCl) and 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (100 mL, 0.5 M in phosphate buffer as described above) was added an aqueous solution of DERA 02 (100ml, prepared with analogue method to one described in Example 1) and solution of acetaldehyde (Fluka, 100 mL, 1.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above). The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was kept at 8.0. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography (GC). After 3 h the proteins in the reaction mixture (1 L) were precipitated with acetonitrile (4 L) and the solution was filtrated using celite and glass filter. The acetonitrile was evaporated and residual water was removed with liophilization to give the crude lactol [1] (22 g), which was directly solubilized, filtered and submitted to silica-gel column (methanol/t-butyl methyl ether 1:1). Fractions were collected and analyzed with thin-layer silica-gel chromatography (diisopropyl ether/acetonitrile 2:1). The solvent from the fraction with the product [1] was evaporated and the dried product (2.8 g, 29 % yield) was analyzed with 1H and 13C NMR. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.4-1.9 (m), 3.42 (s), 4.15-4.35 (m), 5.25 (d). 13C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 32.8, 35.0, 54.5, 54.9, 62.8, 64.5, 92.9, 105.7.

Example 4


Preparation of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol [1]



[0054] 



[0055] To a solution of phosphate buffer (700 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0, 300mM NaCl) and 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (100 mL, 1.0M in phosphate buffer as described above ) was added a whole cell catalyst with DERA 02 (100ml, prepared with analogue method to one described in Example 1 ) and solution of acetaldehyde (Fluka, 100 mL, 2.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above). The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was kept at 8.0. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography (GC). After 3 h the cells were removed with sedimentation (10 min, 6000 g, 4 °C). Residual water was removed with liophilization to give the crude lactol [1] (23 g) as an oil, which was directly solubilized, filtered and submitted to silica-gel column (methanol/t-butyl methyl ether 1:1). Fractions were collected and analyzed with thin-layer silica-gel chromatography (diisopropyl ether/acetonitrile 2:1). The solvent from the fraction with the product [1] was evaporated and the dried product (1.8 g, 9.4 % yield) was analyzed with 1H and 13C NMR. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.4-1.9 (m), 3.42 (s), 4.15-4.35 (m), 5.25 (d). 13C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 32.8, 35.0, 54.5, 54.9, 62.8, 64.5, 92.9, 105.7.

Example 5


Preparation of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol [1]



[0056] 



[0057] To a solution of phosphate buffer (700 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0) was added an aqueous solution of DERA 02 (100 mL, prepared with analogue method to one described in Example 1). A solution of 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (Aldrich, 100 mL, 1.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above) and acetaldehyde (Fluka, 100 mL, 2.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above) was continuously added separately to the above DERA solution by a programmed pump within 2 h. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was kept at 8.0. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography (GC). After 3 h the proteins in the reaction mixture (1 L) were precipitated with acetonitrile (4 L) and the solution was filtrated using celite and glass filter. The acetonitrile was evaporated and residual water was removed with liophilization to give the crude lactol [1] (15 g), which was directly solubilized, filtered and submitted to silica-gel column (methanol/t-butyl methyl ether 1:1). Fractions were collected and analyzed with thin-layer silica-gel chromatography (diisopropyl ether/acetonitrile 2:1). The solvent from the fraction with the product [1] was evaporated and the dried product (6.2 g, 23.3% yield) was analyzed with 1H and 13C NMR. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.4-1.9 (m), 3.42 (s), 4.15-4.35 (m), 5.25 (d). 13C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 32.8, 35.0, 54.5, 54.9, 62.8, 64.5, 92.9, 105.7.

Example 5


Preparation of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol [1]



[0058] 



[0059] To a solution of phosphate buffer (700 mL, 50 mM NaH2PO4, pH 8.0) was added an aqueous solution of DERA 02 (100 mL, prepared with analogue method to one described in Example 1) and a solution of 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (Aldrich, 100 mL, 4.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above). A solution of acetaldehyde (Fluka, 100 mL, 8.0 M in phosphate buffer as described above) was continuously added to the above DERA solution by a programmed pump within 2 h. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was kept at 8.0. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by gas chromatography (GC). After 3 h the proteins in the reaction mixture (1 L) were precipitated with acetonitrile (4 L) and the solution was filtrated using celite and glass filter. The acetonitrile was evaporated and residual water was removed with liophilization to give the crude lactol [1] (37 g), which was directly solubilized, filtered and submitted to silica-gel column (methanol/t-butyl methyl ether 1:1). Fractions were collected and analyzed with thin-layer silica-gel chromatography (diisopropyl ether/acetonitrile 2:1). The solvent from the fraction with the product [1] was evaporated and the dried product (9.4 g, 12.2 % yield) was analyzed with 1H and 13C NMR. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.4-1.9 (m), 3.42 (s), 4.15-4.35 (m), 5.25 (d). 13C NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 32.8, 35.0, 54.5, 54.9, 62.8, 64.5, 92.9, 105.7.

Example 6


Preparation of Rosuvastatin



[0060] To a solution of 1.4 g of (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2,4-diol in 100 mL of water is added 2.4 g barium carbonate and 0.5 mL of bromine at 0 °C. After 3 hours of stirring at 0 - 5 °C, the product is extracted three times with 300 mL of ethyl acetate. Finally the ethyl acetate is distilled off. To the 0.5 g of thus prepared (4R,6S)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)-4-hydroxy-tetrahydropyran-2-one in 50 mL of dichloromethane, a 280 mg of imidazole is added at 25 °C and after cooling to 0 °C 400 mg of tertbutyldimethylsilyl chloride is added. The reaction is then stirred for 18 hours and dichloromethane is distilled off. To a solution of 0.40 g thus obtained (4R,6S)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-6-(dimethoxymethyl)-tetrahydropyran-2-one in 12 mL of acetone a 35 mg of iodine is added at 25 °C and stirred for 48 hours. 200 mg of the obtained (4R,6S)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-6-(dihydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one is the next step dissolved in toluene and added to a stirred suspension of ((4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(N-methylmethyl-sulfonamido)pyrimidin-5-yl)methyl)tributylphosphonium 2,2,2-trifluoro-acetate (504 mg) and sodium hexamethyldisilazane in dry toluene. The protecting group is removed by tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride trihydrate and the obtained compound converted to calcium salt by calcium acetate.

Example 7


Preparation of (S,Z)-2-(3-((1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl)(3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethoxybut-1-enyl)amino)propylamino)-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol [2]



[0061] 



[0062] To a solution of bis-tris propane [3] buffer (70 mL, 50 mM bis-tris propane, pH 8.0, 300 mM NaCl) and a solution of 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (10 mL, 0.5 M in bis-tris propane buffer as described above) was added an aqueous solution of DERA 02 (10 mL, prepared with analogue method to one described in Example 1) and a solution of acetaldehyde (10 mL, 1.0 M in bis-tris propane buffer as described above). The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 37 °C and the pH was regulated at 8.0 with NaOH. After 3 h the proteins in the sample (1 mL) from the reaction mixture (100 mL) were precipitated with acetonitrile (9 mL) and the solution was centrifuged. Sample from supernatant was collected and analyzed directly with HPLC-MS/MS instrument. HPLC-MS/MS m/z[M+H]+ 413.








































































Claims

1. A process comprising the step of reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III)

wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.
 
2. A process for manufacturing rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof comprising the steps of

a) reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III) wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6;

b) converting said lactol into compound of formula

c) subjecting said compound obtained in step b) to conditions sufficient to produce rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof.


 
3. The process of any of claims 1 or 2, where acceptor substrate is selected among: 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (preferred), 2,2-diethoxyethanal, 2,2-dipropoxyethanal, 2,2-dibutoxyethanal, 1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-butyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde.
 
4. The process of claim 3 wherein said aldolase is

DERA 01 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;

DERA 02 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

DERA 03 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7;

DERA 04 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9;

DERA 05 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11;

DERA 06 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

DERA 07 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

DERA 08 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

DERA 09 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19;

DERA 10 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21;

DERA 11 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

DERA 12 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

DERA 13 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

DERA 14 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29;

DERA 15 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

DERA 16 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33;

DERA 17 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

DERA 18 is an aldolase comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37;

DERA 19 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39;

DERA 20 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41;

DERA 21 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

DERA 22 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

DERA 23 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or an aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of any of said aldolases


 
5. The process of previous claim wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
 
6. The process of claim 4 wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least 90% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.
 
7. The process of claim 4 wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least 90% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.
 
8. The process according to any of the previous claims wherein pH for aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation is maintained in range 6 to 10.
 
9. The process of previous claim wherein pH is maintained with a buffer in pH range 7 to 9.
 
10. Use of phosphate buffer for the process according to any of the previous claims.
 
11. Use of aldolase for the reaction of a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III) wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.
 
12. The use according to previous claim, wherein said aldolase is 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase.
 
13. The use according to previous claim, wherein aldolase is

DERA 01 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;

DERA 02 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

DERA 03 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7;

DERA 04 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9;

DERA 05 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11;

DERA 06 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

DERA 07 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

DERA 08 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

DERA 09 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19;

DERA 10 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21;

DERA 11 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

DERA 12 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

DERA 13 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

DERA 14 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29;

DERA 15 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

DERA 16 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33;

DERA 17 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

DERA 18 is an aldolase comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37;

DERA 19 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39;

DERA 20 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41;

DERA 21 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

DERA 22 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

DERA 23 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47.


 
14. The use according to any of previous 2 claims, wherein said aldolase is comprised within living whole cell, or is comprised within inactivated whole cell, or is comprised within homogenized whole cell, or is comprised within cell free extract, or is purified enzyme, or is immobilized, or is in form of extracelularly expressed protein.
 
15. A process for preparing the compound of formula (III)

wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6,
consisting of steps of:

a) admixing the substrate of formula (I)

wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6,
with
acetaldehyde and
2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase
in an aqueous medium at pH value of 7 to 9 at temperature at abput 30 - 50 ° C to form a reaction mixture;

b) maintaining said reaction mixture at said temperature and pH value for time period between 1 h and 6 h; and

c) recovering said compound of formula (III),


 
16. A compound of formula:

where R1 is H or a protecting group; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.
 


Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.


1. A process comprising the step of reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III)

wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6.
 
2. A process for manufacturing rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof comprising the steps of

a) reacting a substrate (I) with an acetaldehyde under aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation conditions to form the corresponding lactol (III) wherein the substrate (I) has formula

where R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6;

b) converting said lactol into compound of formula

c) subjecting said compound obtained in step b) to conditions sufficient to produce rosuvastatin or a pharmaceuticaly acceptable salt thereof.


 
3. The process of any of claims 1 or 2, where acceptor substrate is selected among: 2,2-dimethoxyethanal (preferred), 2,2-diethoxyethanal, 2,2-dipropoxyethanal, 2,2-dibutoxyethanal, 1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde" 4-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4-butyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde, 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carbaldehyde.
 
4. The process of claim 3 wherein said aldolase is
DERA 01 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;
DERA 02 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;
DERA 03 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7;
DERA 04 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9;
DERA 05 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11;
DERA 06 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;
DERA 07 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;
DERA 08 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;
DERA 09 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19;
DERA 10 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21;
DERA 11 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;
DERA 12 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;
DERA 13 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;
DERA 14 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29;
DERA 15 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;
DERA 16 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33;
DERA 17 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;
DERA 18 is an aldolase comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37;
DERA 19 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39;
DERA 20 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41;
DERA 21 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;
DERA 22 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;
DERA 23 comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or an aldolase having an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of any of said aldolases
 
5. The process of previous claim wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least about 70% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
 
6. The process of claim 4 wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least 90% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.
 
7. The process of claim 4 wherein said aldolase has an amino acid sequence identity of at least 90% to amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.
 
8. The process according to any of the previous claims wherein pH for aldolase-catalysed aldol condensation is maintained in range 6 to 10.
 
9. The process of previous claim wherein pH is maintained with a buffer in pH range 7 to 9.
 
10. The process according to any of previous claims, wherein said aldolase is comprised within living whole cell, or is comprised within inactivated whole cell, or is comprised within homogenized whole cell, or is comprised within cell free extract, or is purified enzyme, or is immobilized, or is in form of extracelularly expressed protein.
 
11. Use of phosphate buffer for the process according to any of the previous claims.
 
12. A process according to claim 1 for preparing the compound of formula (III)

wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6, consisting of steps of:

a) admixing the substrate of formula (I)

wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1 - C4 alkyl, or together form a cyclic structure of formula (CH2)n where n is from 2 to 6,
with
acetaldehyde and
2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase
in an aqueous medium at pH value of 7 to 9 at temperature at 30 - 50° C to form a reaction mixture;

b) maintaining said reaction mixture at said temperature and pH value for time period between 1 h and 6 h; and

c) recovering said compound of formula (III).


 





Search report










Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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Patent documents cited in the description




Non-patent literature cited in the description