Microbial protein found in Escherichia coli str. K-12 substr. MG1655
"E. coli" nitroreductase is a flavoprotein found in the bacteria "Escherichia coli". It catalyses the reduction of nitro groups in a wide range of substrates to produce the corresponding hydroxylamine. Although its role "in vivo" is unclear, it has been identified as useful in the metabolism of a number of prodrugs in anti-cancer gene therapy.
There are at least two oxygen-insensitive nitroreductases in "E. coli". The major one is "NfsA" (P17117, EC 1.7.1.B3). The other is "NfsB" (P38489, EC 1.5.1.34).