Ene-reductases (ERs) are FMN- and NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze the stereoselective alkene double bond reduction. Recent advances in structural and synthetic biology have deepened our insights into their catalytic mechanisms and promoted molecular modification strategies. This review summarizes ERs' dynamic structural regulation, directed evolution, immobilization techniques, and applications in drug synthesis and environmental remediation. It highlights the impacts of conformational changes on catalytic selectivity, photoenzyme cooperative systems, and AI-assisted design, providing theoretical references for further research. Emerging promising approaches include low-cost immobilization, continuous-flow processes, and multifield coupling catalytic systems, while future research will focus on light-driven systems, coenzyme regeneration, non-natural radical reactions, and microbial cell factories.
Qin et al. (Mon,) studied this question.