L-[2,5-H2]phenylalanine, an alternate substrate for rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase.

The phenylalanine analogue L-[2,5-H2]phenylalanine (1) was found to be a viable substrate (KM = 0.45 mM, kcat = 8 s-1) for L-phenylalanine-activated, rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.1) (PAH). The PAH-catalyzed oxidation of 1 was stoichiometric with the oxidation of cofactor, 6-methyl-tetrahydropterin. Spectral and chromatographic data of the product from the oxidation of 1 by PAH were found to be in accord with a 3,4-epoxide. The enzymatic epoxidation of 1 is consistent with the hypothesis of an intermediate arene oxide on the reaction coordinate for PAH hydroxylation of L-phenylalanine.