α-KETO ACID REDUCTASE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING OPTICALLY ACTIVE α-HYDROXY ACID UTILIZING THE SAME

摘要

PURPOSE: To provide an α-keto acid reductase and a method for producing an optically active α-hydroxy acid utilizing the enzyme. CONSTITUTION: The α-keto acid reductase is derived from Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum. A DNA encoding the α-keto acid reductase is isolated. The enzyme and its homolog reduce an α-keto acid in the presence of NADH to produce the optically active α-hydroxy acid. The α-hydroxy acid includes an optically active mandelic acid derivative(formula II). The obtained optically active mandelic acid derivative is useful as an intermediate for synthesizing medicines or agrochemicals.