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. 1995 Dec;109(4):1231–1238. doi: 10.1104/pp.109.4.1231

Purification and Characterization of a Novel (R)-Mandelonitrile Lyase from the Fern Phlebodium aureum.

H Wajant 1, S Forster 1, D Selmar 1, F Effenberger 1, K Pfizenmaier 1
PMCID: PMC157655  PMID: 12228664

Abstract

Using high-performance liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance we identified vicianin as the cyanogenic compound of Phlebodium aureum. The (R)-hydroxynitrile lyase involved during cyanogenesis in the catabolism of the aglycon ([R]-mandelonitrile) was purified to apparent homogeneity. The purified holoenzyme is a homomultimer with subunits of Mr = 20,000. At least three isoforms of the enzyme exist. In contrast to other hydroxynitrile lyases, mandelonitrile lyase (MDL) from P. aureum was not inhibited by sulfhydryl- or hydroxyl-modifying reagents, suggesting a different catalytic mechanism. The enzyme is active over a broad temperature range, with maximum activity between 35 and 50[deg]C, and a pH optimum at 6.5. In contrast to (R)-MDLs isolated from several species of the Rosaceae family, (R)-MDL from P. aureum is not a flavoprotein. The substrate specificity was investigated using immobilized enzyme and diisopropyl ether as solvent. The addition of cyanide to aromatic and heterocyclic carbonyls is catalyzed by this (R)-MDL, whereas aliphatic carbonyls are poorly converted.

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Selected References

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