This enzyme is a member of the FMN-dependent alpha-hydroxy-acid oxidase/dehydrogenase family [1]. While all enzymes of this family oxidize the (S)-enantiomer of an alpha-hydroxy acid to an alpha-oxo acid, the ultimate oxidant (oxygen, intramolecular heme or some other acceptor) depends on the particular enzyme. This enzyme transfers the electron pair from FMNH2 to a component of the electron transport chain, most probably ubiquinone [1,2]. It is part of a metabolic pathway in Pseudomonads that allows these organisms to utilize mandelic acid, derivatized from the common soil metabolite amygdalin, as the sole source of carbon and energy [2]. The enzyme has a large active-site pocket and preferentially binds substrates with longer sidechains, e.g. 2-hydroxyoctanoate rather than 2-hydroxybutyrate [1]. It also prefers substrates that, like (S)-mandelate, have beta unsaturation, e.g. (indol-3-yl)glycolate compared with (indol-3-yl)lactate [1]. Esters of mandelate, such as methyl (S)-mandelate, are also substrates [3].
