Chemo-promiscuity of alcohol dehydrogenases: reduction of phenylacetaldoxime to the alcohol

The reduction of phenylacetaldoxime was catalysed by alcohol dehydrogenases in the presence of NAD(P)H yielding finally the primary alcohol via the imine and aldehyde intermediates. This suggests that the hydride of the cofactor NAD(P)H is transferred to the N-atom of the oxime moiety and not to the carbon atom, as usual stated. This reaction represents the first example of a catalytic chemo-promiscuity of alcohol dehydrogenases.