Function
Nitroreductase (NR) is involved in the reduction of nitrogen-containing compounds including those containing NO2 group. The NO2 group is reduced to hydroxylamine[1]. NR uses FMN as cofactor. Among NRs are the oxygen-insensitive NAD(P)H NR and NADH dehydrogenase.
Relevance
NR is of special interest due to its potential use as activator of prodrugs in cancer therapy[2].
Structural highlights
NR cofactor FMN is bound to one subunit while the ligand - nicotinic acid - interacts with both subunits.