Reaction: 17,18-epoxy-17-hydroxycur-19-ene + NADP+ = 18-hydroxynorfluorocurarine + NADPH + H+
For diagram of reaction click here
Glossary: 17,18-epoxy-17-hydroxycur-19-ene = (19E)-18-hydroxycur-19-en-17-al = Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde
norfluorocurarine = (19E)-cura-2(16),19-dien-17-al
Other name(s): Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde synthase
Systematic name: 17,18-epoxy-17-hydroxycur-19-ene:NADP+ oxidoreductase
Comments: The enzyme, isolated from the tree Strychnos nux-vomica, participates in the biosynthesis of strychnine. It belongs to the family of medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductases (MDRs). The enzyme forms an aldehyde group at C16, which results in spontaneous cyclization. In vitro the enzyme can also act on norfluorocurarine, but more slowly.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Hong, B., Grzech, D., Caputi, L., Sonawane, P., Lopez, C.ER., Kamileen, M.O., Hernandez Lozada, N.J., Grabe, V. and O'Connor, S.E. Biosynthesis of strychnine. Nature 607 (2022) 617-622. [PMID: 35794473]