Synthesis of oxygenated enantiopure derivatives from aromatic and unsaturated compounds by oxygenases from Pseudomonas strains. Application of shape analysis to bioconversion rationalization

Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 and ST are able to grow on naphthalene and styrene, respectively, as the sole carbon and energy source. Two recombinant \emph{E.coli} containing the oxygenase activities of the \emph{Pseudomonas} strains respectively transform the hydrocarbons into the corresponding dihydrodiol and epoxide derivatives. To elucidate the enzymes recognition capability several experiments using diverse substrates have been performed. There is a clear indication of the influence of both energy and geometry factors on the bioconversion yields. Some preliminary considerations on the structural influence of the substrates are presented together with the experimental results. Some basic concepts of Mathematical Shape Analysis are then introduced and applied to the specific problem: the characterization of the form of the molecules involved in a bioconversion process and the statistical analysis of the dependence of the yields of the experiments from the geometry of the molecules. Linear regressions are applied to the data, obtaining thus a possible model to explain the link between "form" and yield.