In
enzymology
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...
, a reticuline oxidase () is an
enzyme that
catalyzes
Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...
the
chemical reaction
:(S)-reticuline + O
2 (S)-scoulerine + H
2O
2
Thus, the two
substrates of this enzyme are
(S)-reticuline
Reticuline is a chemical compound found in a variety of plants including ''Lindera aggregata'', '' Annona squamosa'', and '' Ocotea fasciculata'' (also known as ''Ocotea duckei''). It is based on the benzylisoquinoline structure.
Reticuline is o ...
and
O2, whereas its two
products are (S)-
scoulerine and
H2O2.
This enzyme belongs to the family of
oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on X-H and Y-H to form an X-Y bond with oxygen as acceptor. The
systematic name of this enzyme class is (S)-reticuline:oxygen oxidoreductase (methylene-bridge-forming). Other names in common use include BBE, berberine bridge enzyme, berberine-bridge-forming enzyme, and tetrahydroprotoberberine synthase. This enzyme participates in
alkaloid biosynthesis i
Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar st ...
.
References
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*
*
EC 1.21.3
Enzymes of unknown structure
{{1.21-enzyme-stub