Dirigent protein
Encyclopedia
Dirigent protein is a protein
which dictates the stereochemistry
of a compound synthesized by other enzymes. Originally they were discovered in coniferous trees, where they participate in lignan
biosynthesis. Lignan
synthesis is catalysed
by oxidative enzyme
s. In the test tube
the reaction results in a heteregenous mixture of compounds. When dirigent protein is present during the reaction, only one stereoisomer of one compound is produced. Dirigent proteins possess no oxidative radical forming activity of their own; but catalyze a radical radical coupling.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which dictates the stereochemistry
Stereochemistry
Stereochemistry, a subdiscipline of chemistry, involves the study of the relative spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules. An important branch of stereochemistry is the study of chiral molecules....
of a compound synthesized by other enzymes. Originally they were discovered in coniferous trees, where they participate in lignan
Lignan
The lignans are a group of chemical compounds found in plants. Lignans are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like chemicals and also act as antioxidants. The other classes of phytoestrogens are the isoflavones and coumestans...
biosynthesis. Lignan
Lignan
The lignans are a group of chemical compounds found in plants. Lignans are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like chemicals and also act as antioxidants. The other classes of phytoestrogens are the isoflavones and coumestans...
synthesis is catalysed
Catalysis
Catalysis is the change in rate of a chemical reaction due to the participation of a substance called a catalyst. Unlike other reagents that participate in the chemical reaction, a catalyst is not consumed by the reaction itself. A catalyst may participate in multiple chemical transformations....
by oxidative enzyme
Oxidative enzyme
An oxidative enzyme is an enzyme that catalyses oxidation reaction. Two most common types of oxidative enzymes are peroxidases, which use hydrogen peroxide, and oxidases, which use molecular oxygen.They increase the rate at which ATP is produced aerobically....
s. In the test tube
Test tube
A test tube, also known as a culture tube or sample tube, is a common piece of laboratory glassware consisting of a finger-like length of glass or clear plastic tubing, open at the top, usually with a rounded U-shaped bottom....
the reaction results in a heteregenous mixture of compounds. When dirigent protein is present during the reaction, only one stereoisomer of one compound is produced. Dirigent proteins possess no oxidative radical forming activity of their own; but catalyze a radical radical coupling.