Reaction: (S)-reticuline + O2 = (S)-scoulerine + H2O2
For diagram click here.
Other name(s): BBE; berberine bridge enzyme; berberine-bridge-forming enzyme; tetrahydroprotoberberine synthase
Systematic name: (S)-reticuline:oxygen oxidoreductase (methylene-bridge-forming)
Comments: Contains FAD. The enzyme from the plant Eschscholtzia californica binds the cofactor covalently [3]. Acts on (S)-reticuline and related compounds, converting the N-methyl group into the methylene bridge ('berberine bridge') of (S)-tetrahydroprotoberberines. The product of the reaction, (S)-scoulerine, is a precursor of protopine, protoberberine and benzophenanthridine alkaloid biosynthesis in plants.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 152232-28-5
References:
1. Steffens, P., Nagakura, N. and Zenk, M.H. The berberine bridge forming enzyme in tetrahydroprotoberberine biosynthesis. Tetrahedron Lett. 25 (1984) 951-952.
2. Dittrich, H. and Kutchan, T.M. Molecular cloning, expression and induction of the berberine bridge enzyme, an enzyme essential to the formation of benzophenanthridine alkaloids in the response of plants to pathogenic attack. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88 (1991) 9969-9973. [PMID: 1946465]
3. Kutchan, T.M. and Dittrich, H. Characterization and mechanism of the berberine bridge enzyme, a covalently flavinylated oxidase of benzophenanthridine alkaloid biosynthesis in higher plants. J. Biol. Chem. 270 (1995) 24475-24481. [PMID: 7592663]