We selected the PnpI/PupG (PNP) with specificity for ribo- and deoxyriboguanosine and ribo- and deoxyriboinosine and the Up/Pdp (UP) with specificity for uridine, thymidine, and deoxyuridine from the purine and pyrimidine salvage pathway of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Then, an extensive study of the UP (uridine phosphorylase) and PNP (purine nucleoside phosphorylase) immobilization and stabilization was carried out: optimal UP preparation was achieved by immobilization onto Sepabeads coated with poly(ethyleneimine) and finally cross-linked with aldehyde dextran (UP-Sep-PEI-Dx); optimal immobilized PNP was prepared onto glyoxyl-agarose. Both derivatives were highly stable and active even under drastic experimental conditions (pH 10, 45 degrees C) unlike the free enzymes which were promptly inactivated. The derivatives prepared were successfully used in the synthesis of 2'-deoxyguanosine by enzymatic transglycosylation in aqueous solution between 2'-deoxyuridine and guanine.

Multimeric uridine phosphorylase (UP) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) of Bacillus subtilis have been expressed from genes cloned in Escherichia coli, purified, characterized, immobilized and stabilized on solid support. A new immobilization strategy has been developed for UP onto Sepabeads coated with polyethyleneamine followed by crosslinking with aldehyde-dextran. PNP has been immobilized onto glyoxyl-agarose. At pH 10 and 45 8C these derivatives catalyzed the transglycosylation of 2'-deoxyuridine to 2'-deoxyguanosine in high yield (92%). Under the same conditions the not immobilized enzymes were promptly inactivated.

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We describe a chemo-enzymatic synthesis of modified nucleosides through lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of their peracetylated precursors. It was found from screening of a large number of substrates that these enzymes' regioselectivities were affected by the sugar and the nucleobase structures. By selecting the best enzyme for each substrate in terms of activity and regioselectivity, we prepared a small library of differently monodeprotected purine and pyrimidine nucleosides useful as intermediates for the synthesis of high-value nu-

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