Switching the chemoselectivity of perakine reductase for selective reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones by Arg127 mutation

The chemoselectivity of perakine reductase (PR) was engineered through rational design. We identified Arg127 as a control site of chemoselectivity. Mutation of Arg127 switched the chemoselectivity of PR between CO and CC or led to non-selectivity towards α,β-unsaturated ketones, leading to the production of allylic alcohols, saturated ketones, or a mixture of both. This study provides an example for developing novel reductases for α,β-unsaturated ketones.