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 C-17, 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]