Enzymes for the NADPH-dependent reduction of dihydroxyacetone and D-glyceraldehyde and L-glyceraldehyde in the mould Hypocrea jecorina

The mould Hypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei) has two genes coding for enzymes with high similarity to the NADP-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase. These genes, called gld1 and gld2, were cloned and expressed in a heterologous host. The encoded proteins were purified and their kinetic properties characterized. GLD1 catalyses the conversion of d-glyceraldehyde and l-glyceraldehyde to glycerol, whereas GLD2 catalyses the conversion of dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. Both enzymes are specific for NADPH as a cofactor. The properties of GLD2 are similar to those of the previously described NADP-dependent glycerol-2- dehydrogenases (EC 1.1.1.156) purified from different mould species. It is a reve…