InterPro domain: IPR044859

Dirigent proteins and allene oxide cyclases exert stereochemical control on a cyclization reaction. Both share common structural features [ 1 ].

The superfamily also contains Dirigent proteins. 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 [ 2 , 3 ].

This superfamily consists of several plant specific allene oxide cyclase proteins ( 5.3.99.6 ). The allene oxide cyclase (AOC)-catalysed step in jasmonate (JA) biosynthesis is important in the wound response of tomato [ 4 ].

1. A model of dirigent proteins derived from structural and functional similarities with allene oxide cyclase and lipocalins. FEBS J. 279, 1980-93
2. Dirigent Protein Mode of Action Revealed by the Crystal Structure of AtDIR6. Plant Physiol. 172, 2165-2175
3. An enantiocomplementary dirigent protein for the enantioselective laccase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of phenols. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 49, 202-4
4. Allene oxide cyclase dependence of the wound response and vascular bundle-specific generation of jasmonates in tomato - amplification in wound signalling. Plant J. 33, 577-89