Dihydrokaempferol 4-reductase

Dihydrokaempferol 4-reductase is part of the biosynthetic pathway to anthocyanidins and anthocyanins, which are common plant pigments. In addition to converting aromadendrin to leucopelargonidin, it converts ampelopsin ((+)-dihydromyricetin) to leucodelphinidin. Researchers in Japan have genetically manipulated roses by using RNA interference to knock out the endogenous enzyme and add a gene for an alternative reductase found in an iris; or add a gene for the blue pigment, delphinidin, to create a blue rose, which is being sold worldwide. Dihydrokaempferol 4-reductase is also an enzyme on the lignin biosynthesis pathway. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the enzyme uses sinapaldehyde or coniferyl aldehyde or coumaraldehyde to produce sinapyl alcohol or coniferyl alcohol or coumaryl alcohol respectively. ==Structural studies==

As of late 2007, two structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes and . ==References==