A novel NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase of Candida macedoniensis: purification and characterization.

A novel NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase was purified to homogeneity from the soluble fraction of a cell extract of Candida macedoniensis AKU 4588. The enzyme catalyzes not only the reduction of quinones, but also the reduction of aromatic aldehydes, conjugated polyketones, 2'-ketopantothenate esters, and 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate esters. The enzyme shows absolute specificity for NADPH as a coenzyme and also shows quite high affinity toward NADPH (Km less than 5 microM). The apparent Km values for menadione and p-toluquinone are 167 and 180 microM, respectively. The enzyme is not a flavoprotein and is a monomer protein with a relative molecular mass of 45,000. Dicoumarol, quercetin, and some sulfhydryl reagents inhibit the enzyme activity.