IUBMB Enzyme Nomenclature

EC 3.1.1.80

Accepted name: acetylajmaline esterase

Reaction: (1) 17-O-acetylajmaline + H2O = ajmaline + acetate
(2) 17-O-acetylnorajmaline + H2O = norajmaline + acetate

For diagram click here.

Other name(s): acetylajmalan esterase; AAE; 2β(R)-17-O-acetylajmalan:acetylesterase

Systematic name: 17-O-acetylajmaline O-acetylhydrolase

Comments: This plant enzyme is responsible for the last stages in the biosynthesis of the indole alkaloid ajmaline. The enzyme is highly specific for the substrates 17-O-acetylajmaline and 17-O-acetylnorajmaline as the structurally related acetylated alkaloids vinorine, vomilenine, 1,2-dihydrovomilenine and 1,2-dihydroraucaffricine cannot act as substrates [2]. This is a novel member of the GDSL family of serine esterases/lipases.

Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, CAS registry number: 110183-46-5

References:

1. Polz, L., Schübel, H. and Stöckigt, J. Characterization of 2β(R)-17-O-acetylajmalan:acetylesterase—a specific enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the Rauwolfia alkaloid ajmaline. Z. Naturforsch. [C] 42 (1987) 333-342. [PMID: 2955586]

2. Ruppert, M., Woll, J., Giritch, A., Genady, E., Ma, X. and Stöckigt, J. Functional expression of an ajmaline pathway-specific esterase from Rauvolfia in a novel plant-virus expression system. Planta 222 (2005) 888-898. [PMID: 16133216]

[EC 3.1.1.80 created 2006]


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