1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase;
DXP-reductoisomerase;
1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate isomeroreductase;
2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) synthase

Oxidoreductases;
Acting on the CH-OH group of donors;
With NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (isomerizing)

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate + NADP+ = 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate + NADPH + H+ [RN:R05688]

R05688

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate [CPD:C11434];
NADP+ [CPD:C00006]

The enzyme requires Mn2+, Co2+ or Mg2+ for activity, with the first being most effective. The enzyme from several eubacteria, including Escherichia coli, forms part of an alternative nonmevalonate pathway for terpenoid biosynthesis (for diagram, {terp/nonMVA}). The mechanism has been shown to be a retroaldol/aldol reaction [2].