Monoterpene epsilon-lactone hydrolase explained

Monoterpene ε-lactone hydrolase
Ec Number:	3.1.1.83

The enzyme monoterpene ε-lactone hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.83, MLH; systematic name isoprop(en)ylmethyloxepan-2-one lactonohydrolase^[1] catalyses the reaction

(1) isoprop(en)ylmethyloxepan-2-one + H₂O

\rightleftharpoons 6-hydroxyisoprop(en)ylmethylhexanoate (general reaction)

(2) 4-isopropenyl-7-methyloxepan-2-one + H₂O

\rightleftharpoons 6-hydroxy-3-isopropenylheptanoate

(3) 7-isopropyl-4-methyloxepan-2-one + H₂O

\rightleftharpoons 6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanoate

The enzyme catalyses the ring opening of ε-lactones in Gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis DCL14.

Notes and References

1. van der Vlugt-Bergmans CJ, van der Werf MJ . Genetic and biochemical characterization of a novel monoterpene ε-lactone hydrolase from Rhodococcus erythropolis DCL14 . Applied and Environmental Microbiology . 67 . 2 . 733–41 . February 2001 . 11157238 . 92642 . 10.1128/aem.67.2.733-741.2001 .