NADPH-dependent Carbonyl Reductase Research Articles

Protein engineering of carbonyl reductase for asymmetric synthesis of ticagrelor precursor (1S)-2-chloro-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethanol

(1S)− -2-chloro-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethanol ((S)-CFPL) is the key chiral intermediate of antiplatelet inhibitor ticagrelor. An NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase KmCR from Kluyveromyces marxianus ZJB14056 displayed enantioselective reduction activity toward 2-chloro-1-(3,4-difluorophenyl)ethanone (CFPO) with moderate stereoselectivity (eep =80.3%, S). Key residues controlling the stereoselectivity of KmCR were identified, guided by our previous research; saturation mutation and combinatorial mutation were performed to enhance the stereoselectivity of KmCR toward CFPO, generating mutant KmCR-A129W/V239N (KmCR-W2) with strict enantioselectivity (eep >99.7%, S). Next, a triple mutant KmCR-A129W/V239N/V268A (KmCR-W3, eep >99.7%, S) with 83 % increase in catalytic activity was obtained by regional error-prone PCR (epPCR). The enantioselective reduction of (S)-CFPL was achieved by using KmCR coupled with the glucose dehydrogenase EsGDH from Exiguobacterium sibiricum to recycle NADPH. The “best” mutant KmCR-W3 was able to transform 30 g/L CFPO completely with strict enantioselectivity (eep >99.7%, S, yield=95.5%). Moreover, the substrate scope of KmCR was extended. Although there is much space for improvement in the catalytic performance of KmCR-W3, our work enriches the knowledge of carbonyl reductase’s structure and function relationships.

Enhancement of asymmetric bioreduction of N,N-dimethyl-3-keto-3-(2-thienyl)-1-propanamine to corresponding (S)-enantiomer by fusion of carbonyl reductase and glucose dehydrogenase

Background(S)-(−)-N,N-Dimethyl-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)-1-propanamine (DHTP) is a key intermediate for the preparation of (S)-duloxetine, an important antidepressant drug. However, so far, the catalytic efficiency of (S)-DHTP synthesis by asymmetric bioreduction is yet limited. The present study aims to develop an efficient system for synthesis of (S)-DHTP by bioreduction.ResultsVarious recombinant carbonyl reductases were evaluated for asymmetric reduction of N,N-dimethyl-3-keto-3-(2-thienyl)-1-propanamine (DKTP) to produce (S)-DHTP. The NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase CR2 was identified as the suitable candidate, giving (S)-DHTP in absolute configuration. Then the fusion protein involving CR2 and glucose dehydrogenase (CR2-L-GDH) was constructed to further improve cofactor regeneration and resulted catalytic efficiency of the enzymatic reduction. By studying the effects of reaction conditions involving cofactor regeneration, suitable catalytic system was achieved for CR2-L-GDH catalyzing (S)-DHTP synthesis. Consequently, (S)-DHTP (>99.9% e.e.) with yield of 97.66% was obtained from 20 g L−1 DKTP within 8-h reaction, employing 40 g L−1 glucose and 0.1 mmol L−1 NADP+ to drive the cofactor regeneration, resulting in the space–time yield of 2.44 g L−1 h−1.ConclusionOptically pure (S)-DHTP with improved yield was obtained by fusion enzyme CR2-L-GDH. Fusion enzyme-mediated biocatalytic system would be promising to enhance reaction efficiency of enzyme-coupled system for preparation of optically active alcohols.

Enhancement of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate production at high substrate concentration by in situ resin adsorption

Asymmetric reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutyrate (COBE) by carbonyl reductases presents an efficient way to produce Ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate ((S)-CHBE), an important chiral intermediate for the synthesis of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors such as Lipitor®. In this study, an NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (SrCR) from Synechocystis sp. was characterized to demonstrate a broad substrate spectrum, and the highest activity (53.1U/mg protein) with COBE. To regenerate the cofactor NADPH, Bacillus subtilis glucose dehydrogenase was successfully coexpressed with SrCR. Owing to the product inhibition, no more than 400mM of COBE could be completely reduced to (S)-CHBE using the recombinant Escherichia coli/pET-SrCR-GDH. The macroporous adsorption resin HZ 814 was applied to adsorb (S)-CHBE in situ to alleviate the product inhibitio. Consequently, 3000mM (494g/L) of COBE was bioconverted within 8h, resulting in a (S)-CHBE yield of 98.2%, with 99.4% ee and total turnover number of 15,000, revealed great industrial potential of (S)-CHBE production.

Carbonyl reductase identification and development of whole-cell biotransformation for highly efficient synthesis of (R)-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ethanol.

Background(R)-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ethanol [(R)-3,5-BTPE] is a valuable chiral intermediate for Aprepitant (Emend) and Fosaprepitant (Ivemend). Biocatalyzed asymmetric reduction is a preferred approach to synthesize highly optically active (R)-3,5-BTPE. However, the product concentration and productivity of reported (R)-3,5-BTPE synthetic processes remain unsatisfied.ResultsA NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase from Lactobacillus kefir (LkCR) was discovered by genome mining for reduction of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) acetophenone (3,5-BTAP) into (R)-3,5-BTPE with excellent enantioselectivity. In order to synthesize (R)-3,5-BTPE efficiently, LkCR was coexpressed with glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis (BsGDH) for NADPH regeneration in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells, and the optimal recombinant strain produced 250.3 g/L (R)-3,5-BTPE with 99.9% ee but an unsatisfied productivity of 5.21 g/(L h). Then, four different linker peptides were used for the fusion expression of LkCR and BsGDH in E. coli to regulate catalytic efficiency of the enzymes and improved NADPH-recycling efficiency. Using the best strain (E. coli/pET-BsGDH-ER/K(10 nm)-LkCR), up to 297.3 g/L (R)-3,5-BTPE with enantiopurity >99.9% ee was produced via reduction of as much as 1.2 M of substrate with a 96.7% yield and productivity of 29.7 g/(L h).ConclusionsRecombinant E. coli/pET-BsGDH-ER/K(10 nm)-LkCR was developed for the bioreduction of 3,5-BTAP to (R)-3,5-BTPE, offered the best results in terms of high product concentration and productivity, demonstrating its great potential in industrial manufacturing of (R)-3,5-BTPE.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0585-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highly efficient synthesis of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate by a novel carbonyl reductase from Yarrowia lipolytica and using mannitol or sorbitol as cosubstrate

An NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (YlCR2) from Yarrowia lipolytica was discovered by genome mining, overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and purified to homogeneity. To efficiently synthesize ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate ((S)-CHBE) (99%, e.e), the highly stereoselective bioreduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (COBE) into (S)-CHBE with the recombinant E. coli BL21/pETYlCR2 was successfully demonstrated in an n-butyl acetate-water biphasic system (1:1, v/v) with NADPH self-regeneration by substrate-coupled system using sorbitol or mannitol as co-substrate. The optimum reaction condition for the biotransformation of COBE in the biphasic system were 3000mM COBE, (1.2 or 1.3mmol/mmol COBE) mannitol or sorbitol, 0.2mM or 0.4mM NADP+, 0.12 or 0.14g (wet weight)/ml cell dosage, pH 5.0, 30°C; (S)-CHBE with yield of 90% and e.e of 99% was obtained after 10h reaction. Furthermore, 3000mM COBE could also be completely biotransformed after 20h without addition of expensive cofactor NADP+. Significantly, E. coli BL21/pETYlCR2 shows the high potential in the industrial production of (S)-CHBE.

Asymmetric synthesis of lipitor chiral intermediate using a robust carbonyl reductase at high substrate to catalyst ratio

An NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (RpCR) from Rhodococcus pyridinivorans was discovered by genome mining for the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxo-butanoate (COBE). RpCR has been soluble expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The highest activity is determined at pH 5.0 and 50°C toward COBE. The apparent Km and kcat/Km are 0.39mM and 1747s−1mM−1, endowing RpCR with high catalytic efficiency in reduction of COBE. Employing merely 0.1g recombinant RpCR-GDH in a toluene-aqueous biphasic system, as much as 7.0g COBE could be asymmetrically reduced into ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate [(S)-CHBE] (>99% ee) without addition of external cofactor, achieving molar isolation yield of 91%, substrate to biocatalyst ratio of 70 and space-time yield of 1480gL−1d−1. Our results indicate the robust RpCR could be potentially applied in the preparation of optically pure (S)-CHBE.

Efficient synthesis of (R)-2-chloro-1-phenylethol using a yeast carbonyl reductase with broad substrate spectrum and 2-propanol as cosubstrate

In the screening of six Escherichia coli strains for overexpressing recombinant short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases from Yarrowia lipolytica ACA-DC 50109, an NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (YlCR) was identified with capability of producing chiral alcohols. The protein YlCR was over-expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), purified to homogeneity, and characterized of biocatalytic properties. The purified enzyme exhibited the highest activity at 35°C and optimal pH at 7.0. The kinetic parameters Km and Kcat of YlCR were 7.59mM and 3.9S−1 for α-chloroacetophenone, 366.1mM and 2.94S−1 for 2-propanol. YlCR showed a broad substrate spectrum toward aldehydes, ketones, α- and β-keto esters. Among them, α-chloroacetophenone was found to be efficiently converted to (R)-2-chloro-1-phenylethol, the precursor for the synthesis of anti-depressants and α- or β-adrenergic drugs. Using 2-propanol as the hydrogen donor, α-chloroacetophenone (50mM) was reduced with the recombinant E. coli, and the obtained conversation and enantiomeric excess (e.e) were both 99%. When the α-chloroacetophenone concentration was up to 200mM, the conversion achieved 63%, and the e.e was always 99%. The present study serves as a valuable guidance for the future applications of this versatile biocatalyst.

Scalable biocatalytic synthesis of optically pure ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate using a recombinant E. coli with high catalyst yield

Ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate [(R)-HPBE] is a versatile and important chiral intermediate for the synthesis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Recombinant E. coli strain coexpressing a novel NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase gene iolS and glucose dehydrogenase gene gdh from Bacillus subtilis showed excellent catalytic activity in (R)-HPBE production by asymmetric reduction. IolS exhibited high stereoselectivity (>98.5% ee) toward α-ketoesters substrates, whereas fluctuant ee values (53.2–99.5%) for β-ketoesters with different halogen substitution groups. Strategies including aqueous/organic biphasic system and substrate fed-batch were adopted to improve the biocatalytic process. In a 1-L aqueous/octanol biphasic reaction system, (R)-HPBE was produced in 99.5% ee with an exceptional catalyst yield (gproduct/gcatalyst) of 31.7 via bioreduction of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate (OPBE) at 330g/L.

Production of (3S)-acetoin from diacetyl by using stereoselective NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase and glucose dehydrogenase

Production of (3S)-acetoin ((3S)-AC), an important platform chemical, is desirable but difficult to perform. An NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (Gox0644) from Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 2003 was confirmed to have a good ability to reduce diacetyl (DA) to produce (3S)-AC. In this work, the NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase was expressed and purified. Glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis 168 was coupled with the NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase to produce (3S)-AC from DA. Under the optimal conditions, 12.2gl−1 (3S)-AC was produced from 14.3gl−1 DA in 75min. Because DA can be biotechnological produced, the two-enzymes coupling system might be a promising alternative for the (3S)-AC production.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of carbonyl reductase S1 fromCandida magnoliae

The NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase S1 from Candida magnoliae stereoselectively catalyzes the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (COBE) to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate (CHBE), which is a chiral compound valuable as a building block for pharmaceuticals. Carbonyl reductase S1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni-affinity, ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals of carbonyl reductase S1 were obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 400 as a precipitant. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.90 Å resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. The crystals belonged to space group P6(1)22 or P6(5)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 77.7, c = 307.5 Å. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of the protein, with a solvent content of 44.2%.

New Approaches to Molecular Diagnostics of Prenatal Pathology

Analysis of the spectrum of amniotic fluid proteins in physiological and abnormal pregnancy using proteomic analysis allowed detection of a number of difference proteins, that are absent or, alternatively, appear in gestosis. Among absent proteins, there were NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase, epidermal fatty acid-binding protein, haptoglobin, calgranulins A and B. In contrast to proteomic spectrum of amniotic fluid in physiological pregnancy, 7 new proteins appear during gestosis, 3 of them were identified: C area of immunoglobulin K-chain, breast cancer metastasis suppressor-1, and protein-1 containing AIG2-like domain. Possible effects of revealed differences in proteomic spectrum on development of main disturbances during gestosis are discussed. Difference proteins detected in amniotic fluid may serve as gestosis markers.

Biochemical characterisation of a NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase from Neurospora crassa reducing α- and β-keto esters

A gene encoding an NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase from Neurospora crassa ( nccr) was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme (NcCR) was purified and biochemically characterised. NcCR exhibited a restricted substrate spectrum towards various ketones, and the highest activity (468 U/mg) was observed with dihydroxyacetone. However, NcCR proved to be very selective in the reduction of different α- and β-keto esters. Several compounds were converted to the corresponding hydroxy ester in high enantiomeric excess ( ee) at high conversion rates. The enantioselectivity of NcCR for the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate showed a strong dependence on temperature. This effect was studied in detail, revealing that the ee could be substantially increased by decreasing the temperature from 40 °C (78.8%) to −3 °C (98.0%). When the experimental conditions were optimised to improve the optical purity of the product, ( S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate ( ee 98.0%) was successfully produced on a 300 mg (1.8 mmol) scale using NcCR at −3 °C.

A novel carbonyl reductase from Pichia stipitis for the production of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate

An NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (PsCR) gene from Pichia stipitis was cloned. It contains an open reading frame of 849 bp encoding 283 amino acids whose sequence had less than 60% identity to known reductases that produce ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoates (S-CHBE). When expressed in Escherichia coli, the recombinant PsCR exhibited an activity of 27 U/mg using ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (COBE) as a substrate. Reduction of COBE to (S)-CHBE by transformants in an aqueous mono-phase system for 18 h, gave a molar yield of 94% and an optical purity of the (S)-isomer of more than 99% enantiomeric excess.

Hepatic and extra-hepatic metabolic pathways involved in flubendazole biotransformation in sheep

Flubendazole (FLBZ) is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic compound used in pigs, poultry and humans. Its potential for parasite control in ruminant species is under investigation. The objective of the work described here was to identify the main enzymatic pathways involved in the hepatic and extra-hepatic biotransformation of FLBZ in sheep. Microsomal and cytosolic fractions obtained from sheep liver and duodenal mucosa metabolised FLBZ into a reduced FLBZ metabolite (red-FLBZ). The keto-reduction of FLBZ led to the prevalent (∼98%) stereospecific formation of one enantiomeric form of red-FLBZ. The amounts of red-FLBZ formed in liver subcellular fractions were 3–4-fold higher ( P < 0.05) compared to those observed in duodenal subcellular fractions. This observation correlates with the higher ( P < 0.05) carbonyl reductase (CBR) activities measured in the liver compared to the duodenal mucosa. No metabolic conversion was observed following FLBZ or red-FLBZ incubation with sheep ruminal fluid. Sheep liver microsomes failed to convert red-FLBZ into FLBZ. However, this metabolic reaction occurred in liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-induced rats, which may indicate a cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation of red-FLBZ. A NADPH-dependent CBR is proposed as the main enzymatic system involved in the keto-reduction of FLBZ in sheep. CBR substrates such as menadione and mebendazole (a non-fluoride analogue of FLBZ), inhibited this liver microsomal enzymatic reaction, which may confirm the involvement of a CBR enzyme in FLBZ metabolism in sheep. This research is a further contribution to the understanding of the metabolic fate of a promissory alternative compound for antiparasitic control in ruminant species.

Purification and characterization of a novel carbonyl reductase with high stereo-selectivity

A novel NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase was separated from Candida parapsilosis CCTCC 203011. The enzyme gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which was purified through ammonium sulfate, Diethylamino Ethanol (DEAE) sepharose Fast flow (FF), phenyl-sepharose FF and blue sepharose FF chromatography from cell-free extract. The molecular mass of the enzyme was about 30 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for reduction were 4.5°C and 35°C, respectively. The Cu2+ had strong restrictive effect on enzyme activity. In addition, the carbonyl reductase was an enzyme with high substrate specificity and stereo-selectivity, and showed high asymmetric reduction activity towards α-hydroxyacetophenone and ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate. For the asymmetric reduction of α-hydroxyacetophenone and ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate, (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol and (R)-ethyl4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate were produced by the purified enzyme, with the 100% and 94.3% e.e. value, respectively. Therefore, the enzyme could be one of the effective biocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohols. The amino acid sequences of one peptide from the purified enzyme were analyzed by LC-MASS-MASS, and the carbonyl reductase showed some identity to the hypothetical protein CaO19.10414 reported.

A molecular modeling study on the enantioselectivity of aryl alkyl ketone reductions by a NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase

Automated structural analysis of Sporobolomyces salmonicolor carbonyl reductase (SSCR) indicates that the two largest potential receptor sites are in the vicinity of the nicotinamide reductant. The largest receptor site is a scalene triangle with sides of approximately 8 A by 9 A by 13 A, which is narrow in width; one corner is surrounded by hydrophilic residues that can favorably bond with the ketone oxygen. Docking aryl alkyl ketones shows a distinct preference for binding to the largest receptor site, and for conformations that place the carbonyl oxygen of the substrate in the hydrophilic corner of the largest receptor site. Favorable docking conformations for aryl alkyl ketones fall into two low-energy ensembles. These conformational ensembles are distinguished by the positions of the substituents, presenting either the Si- or Re-face of the ketone to the nicotinamide reductant. For the ketones investigated here, there is a correspondence between the major enantiomer of the alcohol obtained from the reduction of the ketone and the conformer found to have the most stable interaction energy with the receptor site in all cases. The receptor site modeling, docking simulations, molecular dynamics, and enzyme-substrate geometry optimizations lead to a model for understanding the enantioselectivity of this NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase.

Characterization of an Oligomeric Carbonyl Reductase of Dog Liver: Its Identity with Peroxisomal Tetrameric Carbonyl Reductase

Dog liver contains an oligomeric NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (CR) with substrate specificity for alkyl phenyl ketones, but its endogenous substrate and primary structure remain unknown. In this study, we examined the molecular weight and substrate specificity of the enzyme purified from dog liver. The enzyme is a ca. 100-kDa tetramer composing of 27-kDa subunit, and reduces all-trans-retinal and alpha-dicarbonyl compounds including isatin, which are substrates for pig peroxisomal tetrameric carbonyl reductase (PTCR). In addition, the dog enzyme resembles pig PTCR in inhibitor sensitivity to flavonoids, myristic acid, lithocholic acid, bromosulfophthalein and flufenamic acid. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence of dog CR determined by protein sequencing and cDNA cloning was 84% identical to that of pig PTCR and had a C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal type 1, Ser-His-Leu. The immunoprecipitation using the anti-pig PTCR antibody shows that the dog enzyme is a major form of soluble NADPH-dependent all-trans-retinal reductase in dog liver. Thus, dog oligomeric CR is PTCR, and may play a role in retinoid metabolism as a retinal reductase.

Enantioselective Enzymatic Reductions of Sterically Bulky Aryl Alkyl Ketones Catalyzed by a NADPH-Dependent Carbonyl Reductase

The enantioselective reductions of aryl alkyl ketones, ArC(O)R, with a diverse number of alkyl groups have been achieved with an isolated carbonyl reductase from Sporobolomyces salmonicolor. Of special interest is the observation that ketones with sterically bulky alkyl groups could be reduced to the corresponding alcohols in excellent optical purity. An unusual alkyl chain-induced enantiopreference reversal was observed but was shown to be consistent with the enzyme-substrate docking calculations.

On-bead combinatorial techniques for the identification of selective aldose reductase inhibitors

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1; ALR2; E.C. 1.1.1.21) is an NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase which has long been associated with complications resulting from the elevated blood glucose often found in diabetics. The development of effective inhibitors has been plagued by lack of specificity which has led to side effects in clinical trials. To address this problem, a library of bead-immobilized compounds was screened against fluorescently labeled aldose reductase in the presence of fluorescently labeled aldehyde reductase, a non-target enzyme, to identify compounds which were aldose reductase specific. Picked beads were decoded via novel bifunctional bead mass spec-based techniques and kinetic analysis of the ten inhibitors which were identified using this protocol yielded IC50 values in the micromolar range. Most importantly, all of these compounds showed a preference for aldose reductase with selectivities as high as ∼7500-fold. The most potent of these exhibited uncompetitive inhibition versus the carbonyl-containing substrate d/l-glyceraldehyde with a Ki of 1.16μM.

X-ray Structures of NADPH-dependent Carbonyl Reductase from Sporobolomyces salmonicolor Provide Insights into Stereoselective Reductions of Carbonyl Compounds

The X-ray structures of red yeast Sporobolomyces salmonicolor carbonyl reductase (SSCR) and its complex with a coenzyme, NADPH, have been determined at a resolution of 1.8A and 1.6A, respectively. SSCR was crystallized in an orthorhombic system with the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and cell dimensions of a=54.86 A, b=83.49 A, and c=148.72 A. On its cocrystallization with NADPH, isomorphous crystals of the SSCR/NADPH complex were obtained. The structure of SSCR was solved by a single wavelength anomalous diffraction measurement using a selenomethionine-substituted enzyme, and that of the SSCR/NADPH complex was solved by a molecular replacement method using the solved structure of SSCR. The structures of SSCR and the SSCR/NADPH complex were refined to an R-factor of 0.193 (R(free)=0.233) and 0.211 (R(free)=0.238), respectively. SSCR has two domains, an NADPH-binding domain and a substrate-binding domain, and belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases family. The structure of the NADPH-binding domain and the interaction between the enzyme and NADPH are very similar to those found in other structure-solved enzymes belonging to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases family, while the structure of the substrate-binding domain is unique. SSCR has stereoselectivity in its catalytic reaction, giving rise to excessive production of (S)-alcohols from ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate. The X-ray structure of the SSCR/NADPH complex and preliminary modeling show that the formation of the hydrophobic channel induced by the binding of NADPH is closely related to the stereoselective reduction by SSCR.