Crystal structure of F95Q epi-isozizaene synthase, an engineered sesquiterpene cyclase that generates biofuel precursors β- and γ-curcumene.

ABSTRACT: The saturated hydrocarbon bisabolane is a diesel fuel substitute that can be derived from sesquiterpene precursors bisabolene or curcumene. These sesquiterpenes are generated from farnesyl diphosphate in reactions catalyzed by eponymous terpenoid cyclases, but they can also be generated by engineered terpenoid cyclases in which cyclization cascades have been reprogrammed by mutagenesis. Here, we describe the X-ray crystal structure determination of F95Q epi-isozizaene synthase (EIZS), in which the new activity of curcumene biosynthesis has been introduced and the native activity of epi-isozizaene biosynthesis has been suppressed. F95Q EIZS generates β- and γ-curcumene regioisomers with greater than 50% yield. Structural analysis of the closed active site conformation, stabilized by the bin

SUBMITTER: Blank PN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6642678 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature