Fig. 1: Enzymatic synthesis of eunicellane scaffolds and their flexible characteristics. | Nature Communications

Fig. 1: Enzymatic synthesis of eunicellane scaffolds and their flexible characteristics.

From: Discovery of a terpene synthase synthesizing a nearly non-flexible eunicellane reveals the basis of flexibility

Fig. 1

Eunicellane compounds are known for their diverse and fascinating biological activities. Despite this, limited research efforts have been put into their biosynthesis. Until now, only three types of eunicellane diterpene synthases have been reported: Bnd4, AlbS, and EcTPS1 (BaTC-2). Bnd4, AlbS, and EcTPS1 can produce eunicellane skeletons, showing varying degrees of flexibility. Unlike the previous reports, we discovered an unusual eunicellane synthase—MicA, synthesizing an unprecedented nearly non-flexible eunicellane scaffold. Based on the elaborate functional characterization of MicA, we reasoned that the stereochemistry of the bridging carbons (C1 and C10), in conjunction with the adjacent double bond (Δ2,3), is pivotal in defining the structural flexibility of eunicellane scaffolds.

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