Reaction: (–)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine + NAD+ = (S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-one + NADH + H+
Glossary: (–)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine = (1R,2S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
(S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-one = (S)-methcathinone
Other name(s): EDH; ephedrine dehydrogenase
Systematic name: (–)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine:NAD+ 1-oxidoreductase
Comments: The enzyme, characterized from the bacterium Arthrobacter sp. TS-15, acts on a broad range of different aryl-alkyl ketones, such as haloketones, ketoamines, diketones, and ketoesters. It exhibits a strict enantioselectivity and accepts various types of aryl groups including phenyl-, pyridyl-, thienyl-, and furyl-rings, but the presence of an aromatic ring is essential for the activity. In addition, the presence of a functional group on the alkyl chain, such as an amine, a halogen, or a ketone, is also crucial. When acting on diketones, it catalyses the reduction of only the keto group closest to the ring, with no further reduction to the diol. cf. EC 1.1.1.422, pseudoephedrine dehydrogenase and EC 1.5.1.18, ephedrine dehydrogenase.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Shanati, T., Lockie, C., Beloti, L., Grogan, G. and Ansorge-Schumacher, M.B. Two enantiocomplementary ephedrine dehydrogenases from Arthrobacter sp. TS-15 with broad substrate specificity. ACS Catal. 9 (2019) 6202-6211.
2. Shanati, T., Ansorge-Schumacher, M. Enzymes and methods for the stereoselective reduction of carbonyl compounds, oxidation and stereoselective reductive amination - for the enantioselective preparation of alcohol amine compounds. (2019) Patent WO2019002459.