A gain of function in the cancer-associated mutant of isocitrate dehydrogenase inspired protein engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae homoisocitrate dehydrogenase to create a 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase. This neoactivity yields chirally pure (R)-2-hydroxyadipic acid, a synthetic precursor to the industrially valuable adipic acid used in pharmaceuticals and synthetic polymers.
