The gene encoding (6R)-2,2,6-trimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedione (levodione) reductase was cloned from the genomic DNA of the soil isolate bacterium Corynebacterium aquaticum M-13. The gene contained an open reading frame consisting of 801 nucleotides corresponding to 267 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence showed approximately 35% identity with other short chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily enzymes. The probable NADH-binding site and three catalytic residues (Ser-Tyr-Lys) were conserved. The enzyme was sufficiently produced in recombinant Escherichia coli cells using an expression vector pKK223-3, and purified to homogeneity by two-column chromatography steps. The enzyme purified from E. coli catalyzed stereo- and regio-selective reduction of levodione, and was strongly activated by monovalent cations, such as K⁺, Na⁺, and NH₄⁺, as was the case of that from C. aquaticum M-13. To our knowledge, this is the first sequencing report of a monovalent cation-activated SDR enzyme.

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