Visualizing antibody-catalyzed retro-aldol-retro-Michael reactions.

We developed a visible detection system for antibody-catalyzed retro-aldol-retro-Michael reactions. Aldolase antibody 38C2 catalyzed the reaction of substrate 1 to provide 6-bromo-2-napthol that forms a visible colored azo dye with diazonium salts. This system has potential for the screening of novel catalysts.