Strategic Redox Relay Enables A Scalable Synthesis of Ouabagenin, A Bioactive Cardenolide

Directed By: Dr. Masato Koreeda

Produced By: Ben Levin

Starring: Mark Dulchavsky, Madison Fringer,

Kendal Rosalik, and Brandon Yik

Nature has evolved a highly efficient biosynthetic system to achieve chemo- and stereoselective oxidations far beyond laboratory synthesis. Through a series of direct, chemoselective oxidations using multiple hydroxylase enzymes, scientists can now synthesize complex steroids such as cardenolides, like ougbagenin from progesterone. This study gives relevance of cardenolides in treatment of congestive heart failure and analogs of ouabagnin could be generated in addressing treatments.

Renata, H.; Zhou, Q.; Baran, P. S. Science 2013, 339, 59-63.