Enzymic and Chemical Synthesis of ɛ‐N‐(l‐Propionyl‐2)‐l‐Lysine

Abstract
Pyruvate acted as an oxo acid substrate in the reverse direction of [bakers yeast] saccharopine dehydrogenase [EC 1.5.1.7] [.epsilon.-N-(L-glutaryl-2)-L-lysine: NAD oxidoreductase (L-lysine-forming)] reaction. The enzymic condensation product of lysine and pyruvate was isolated and identified as .epsilon.-N-(L-propionyl-2)-L-lysine by comparison with the synthetic compound. A method for the chemical preparation of diastereoisomers of .epsilon.-N-(propionyl-2)-L-lysine is also described.