Epoxidation of styrenes with the peroxidase from the cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)01007-2

An enzyme concerned with the epoxidation of styrenes was isolated from cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum. The enzyme had peroxidase activity as well as epoxidation activity, and its amino acid sequence showed 89% homology in their 9 amino acid overlap with horseradish peroxidase. In the enzymatic reaction, hydrogen peroxide and p-cresol were necessary and molecular oxygen was the source of the oxygen atom of the epoxide. The enzymatic reaction using a spin trap reagent and monitoring of the reaction with ESR indicated that the epoxidation reaction of styrenes proceeded by a radical mechanism with peroxidase.