[4] In enzymology, a flavin reductase (EC 1.5.1.30) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction riboflavin + NADPH + H+
This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-NH group of donors with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor.
[5] The placement of methyl groups in the isoalloxazine ring can also have an effect on the binding and specificity of the enzyme for substrate.
First the flavin reductase enzyme binds NADPH and stabilizes the release of the hydride.
[6] Flavin reductases exist in a variety of organisms, including animals and bacteria.
A study showed that women with lactobacillus that produced hydrogen peroxide were less likely to develop bacterial vaginosis prebirth.
[12] It was also seen in Trichomonas vaginalis that decreased levels of flavin reductase increased the cycling of metronidazole because flavin reductase has an antioxidative effect, which decreases oxygen levels, maintaining the metronidazole population.
[13] Currently, it is seen that bacterial flavin reductase can be used to sensitize carcinomas, or tumors to pro drugs.
However, current research is showing an interest in these reductase molecules, specifically, MSuE from Pseudomonas aeruginosa which has been shown to increase the effectiveness of the prodrugs for cancerous tumors.