Two western red cedar pinoresinol‐lariciresinol reductase (PLR) homologues were studied to determine their enantioselective, substrate versatility, and kinetic properties. PLRs are downstream of dirigent protein engendered, coniferyl alcohol derived, stereoselective coupling to afford entry into the 8‐ and 8′‐linked furofuran lignan, pinoresinol. Our investigations showed that each PLR homolog can enantiospecifically metabolize different furofuran lignans with modified aromatic ring substituents, but where phenolic groups at both C4/C4′ are essential for catalysis. These results are consistent with quinone methide intermediate formation in the PLR active site. Site‐directed mutagenesis and kinetic measurements provided additional insight into factors affecting enantioselectivity and kinetic properties. From these data, PLRs can be envisaged to allow for the biotechnological potential of generation of various lignan skeleta, that could be differentially “decorated” on their aromatic ring substituents, via the action of upstream dirigent proteins.

中文翻译：

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松脂醇-lariciresinol还原酶：底物的多功能性，对映体特异性和动力学特性。

研究了两个西部红柏松脂松香醇-larresresinol还原酶（PLR）的同系物，以确定它们的对映选择性，底物通用性和动力学性质。PLR位于产生的稀疏蛋白质，针叶树醇衍生的立体选择性偶联的下游，以使其进入8和8'连接的呋喃呋喃木脂体木脂松酚。我们的研究表明，每个PLR同源物都可以通过修饰的芳环取代基对映异构地代谢不同的呋喃呋喃木脂素，但是其中C4 / C4'上的酚基对于催化是必不可少的。这些结果与PLR活性部位中醌甲基化物中间体的形成是一致的。定点诱变和动力学测量提供了对影响对映选择性和动力学性质的因素的进一步了解。根据这些数据，