InterPro domain: IPR004265

Dirigent proteins impart stereoselectivity on the phenoxy radical-coupling reaction, yielding optically active lignans from two molecules of coniferyl alcohol in the biosynthesis of lignans, flavonolignans, and alkaloids and thus plays a central role in plant secondary metabolism [ 1 , 2 ]. This family also includes homologue DRR206 (disease resistance response protein 206). DRR206 is induced by the metabolite pinoresinol monoglucoside and is involved in phytoalexin (lignan) biosynthesis as a defense response [ 3 ].

1. Dirigent Protein Mode of Action Revealed by the Crystal Structure of AtDIR6. Plant Physiol. 172, 2165-2175
2. An enantiocomplementary dirigent protein for the enantioselective laccase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of phenols. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 49, 202-4
3. Non-host disease resistance response in pea (Pisum sativum) pods: Biochemical function of DRR206 and phytoalexin pathway localization. Phytochemistry 113, 140-8