This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (R)-pantoate:NADP+ 2-oxidoreductase. Other names in common use include 2-oxopantoate reductase, 2-ketopantoate reductase, 2-ketopantoic acid reductase, ketopantoate reductase, and ketopantoic acid reductase. This enzyme participates in pantothenate and coa biosynthesis.
Structural studies
As of late 2007, 5 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes 1KS9, 1YJQ, 1YON, 2EW2, and 2OFP.