Asymmetric alkene reduction by yeast old yellow enzymes and by a novel Zymomonas mobilis reductase

The genes encoding yeast old yellow enzymes (OYE 1, 2, and 3) and NAD(P)H-dependent 2-cyclohexen-1-one reductase from Zymomonas mobilis (NCR) were expressed separately in Escherichia coli. All four recombinant strains reduced the carbon double bond in alpha, beta-unsaturated alkenals and alkenones, however rates and enantio-specificities differed. Which of the two possible enantiomers was predominantly formed, was not only dependent on the choice of enzyme but also on the substrate: In addition to a dependency on methylation in alpha- or beta-position, the data of this study illustrate that firstly the E- or Z-configuration (cis- or trans-) of the carbon double-bond and secondly the remainder of the substrate molecule play roles in determining enantio-specificity. Based on the currently accepted mechanism of flavin mediated anti-hydrogenation of the carbon double bond, the data in this study may be explained by a flipped orientation of some of the substrates in the active center of OYE.