Kinetic mechanism of an aldehyde reductase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that relieves toxicity of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

► Ari1p reduces furan aldehydes to their less toxic alcohols in yeast. ► At equilibrium, reactions favor the alcohol and NADP+. ► Keq [NADP+][furfuryl alcohol]/[NADPH][furfural][H+] = 5600 x 107 M-1. ► Catalyzed reactions are equilibrium ordered: NADPH binds first and NADP+ leaves last. ► Microscopic rate constants indicate release of products is 84% rate-limiting to kcat.