Multifunctional biocatalysis: An unusual imine reductase.

A multifunctional biocatalyst EneIRED capable of catalyzing amine-activated conjugate alkene reduction and subsequent reductive amination was discovered. The enzyme realized the coupling of α, β-unsaturated carbonyls with amines to efficiently synthesize a broad set of chiral amine diastereomers based on its unusual active site structure and catalytic mechanism.