An enzymatic platform for the synthesis of isoprenoid precursors.

ABSTRACT: The isoprenoid family of compounds is estimated to contain ∼ 65,000 unique structures including medicines, fragrances, and biofuels. Due to their structural complexity, many isoprenoids can only be obtained by extraction from natural sources, an inherently risky and costly process. Consequently, the biotechnology industry is attempting to genetically engineer microorganisms that can produce isoprenoid-based drugs and fuels on a commercial scale. Isoprenoid backbones are constructed from two, five-carbon building blocks, isopentenyl 5-pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl 5-pyrophosphate, which are end-products of either the mevalonate or non-mevalonate pathways. By linking the HMG-CoA reductase pathway (which produces mevalonate) to the mevalonate pathway, these building block can be synthesized

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4143292 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature