Broadly speaking our objective is to gain a better understanding of molecular recognition and of enzymatic catalysis through the design, preparation and evaluation of synthetic models of the usually complex structures involved in these important biological processes.

At present our attention is focused on the elucidation of the role of the cofactor 4-methylidene-5-imidazolone (MIO) in the deamination of the amino acids histidine and phenylalanine. The transformation promoted by this cofactor is unprecedented with synthetic reagents and it constitutes a potential pathway for the reduction of blood phenylalanine levels in phenylketonurics.

Students involved in this project will gain experience in the design, synthesis and characterization of organic compounds, as well as develop an an understanding of the metablolic processes involved.

‡ Undergraduate Student
* Graduate Student

Fasella, E.; Boehm, F. J.; Kiessling, L. L., "Synthesis of galactosyl-alpha-(1,3)-galactosyl epitopes for use in immunological studies", Abstr. Pap. Amer. Chem. Soc. 219, 97 (2000).

Fasella, E.; Dong, S.; Breslow, R., "Reversal of optical induction in transamination by regioisomeric bifunctionalized cyclodextrins", Bioorg. Med. Chem. 7, 709-714 (1999).