Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Sesquiterpene synthases: passive catalysts or active players?
David J Miller1, Rudolf K Allemann
1School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Sesquiterpene synthases catalyse the metal dependent turnover of farnesyl diphosphate to generate a class of natural products characterised by an enormous diversity in structure, stereochemistry, biological function and application. It has been proposed that these enzymes take a passive role in the reactions they catalyse and that they serve mostly as stereochemical templates, within which the reactions take place. Here, recent research into the structure and function of sesquiterpene synthases and the mechanisms of the reactions that they catalyse will be reviewed to suggest that these fascinating enzymes play multifaceted active roles in what are arguably the most complex biosynthetic reactions.
Related Concept Videos
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
The Calvin Benson Cycle
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...

