In the reverse reaction, the 2'-hydroxyisoflavone (2'-hydroxydaidzein) is reduced to an isoflavanone. Also acts on 2'-hydroxyformononetin and to a small extent on 2'-hydroxygenistein. Involved in the biosynthesis of the phytoalexin glyceollin. The isoflavones biochanin A, daidzein and genestein as well as the flavonoids apigenin, kaempferol and quercetin do not act as substrates.
Phytoalexin synthesis in soybean: purification and characterization of NADPH:2'-hydroxydaidzein oxidoreductase from elicitor-challenged soybean cell cultures.