Dihydrodipicolinate reductase (DapB) reduces the alpha,beta-unsaturated cyclic imine, dihydro-dipicolinate. This reaction is the second committed step in the biosynthesis of L-lysine and its precursor meso-diaminopimelate, which are critical for both protein and cell wall biosynthesis. The N-terminal domain of DapB binds the dinucleotide NADPH.

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2: Three-dimensional structure of Escherichia coli dihydrodipicolinate reductase in complex with NADH and the inhibitor 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate. Scapin G, Reddy SG, Zheng R, Blanchard JS; Biochemistry 1997;36:15081-15088. PMID:9398235

3: Three-dimensional structure of Escherichia coli dihydrodipicolinate reductase. Scapin G, Blanchard JS, Sacchettini JC; Biochemistry 1995;34:3502-3512. PMID:7893645