Patchoulol synthase

Croteau et al., 1987). Furthermore, studies with [12,13- C 6- H]famesyl pyrophosphate as a precursor indicate that deprotonation-protonation steps to form bound ole-finic intermediates in the biosynthesis of patchoulol do not occur, providing support for a hydride shift mechanism (Croteau et al, 1987). Patchoulol synthase had a molecular weight of 80,000 and consisted of two identical subunits of 40,000. 

In this instance, the sesquiterpene olefin cyclase activity could not be separated from the patchoulol synthase activity and showed similar pH and metal ion requirements, suggesting that the olefmic products are derived by diversion of the various carbocation intermediates (Cane, 1990). 

Munck, S.L. and Croteau, R. (1990) Purification and characterization of the sesquiterpene cyclase patchoulol synthase from Pogostemon cablin. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 282, 58-64. 

One year later, Schalk [89] described a process for cloning sesquiterpene synthases from patchouli plants Pogostemon cablin) and the enzyme-catalysed terpenoid production. Various sesquiterpenes can be obtained by this method, for instance patchoulol and other germacrene-type sesquiterpenes. 

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