Monoterpene and sesquiterpene synthases and the origin of terpene skeletal diversity in plants.
The multitude of terpene carbon skeletons in plants is formed by enzymes known as terpene synthases. This review covers the monoterpene and sesquiterpene synthases presenting an up-to-date list of enzymes reported and evidence for their ability to form multiple products. The reaction mechanisms of these enzyme classes are described, and information on how terpene synthase proteins mediate catalysis is summarized. Correlations between specific amino acid motifs and terpene synthase function are described, including an analysis of the relationships between active site sequence and cyclization type and a discussion of whether specific protein features might facilitate multiple product formation.
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Pharmacy, Halle/Saale, Germany. joerg.degenhardt@pharmazie.uni-halle.de
Jörg
J
Degenhardt
Tobias G
TG
Köllner
Jonathan
J
Gershenzon
D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D039821:Monoterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C108877:terpene synthase