Conformational Control in Diterpene Synthase TlnA: Elucidating the Mechanism of 5-8-6 Skeleton Formation through Ring Expansion
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Updated: Jul 2, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Fengli Li1, Suitian Lai1, Wenling Yuan1
1Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P. R. China.
Abstract:
TlnA produces a distinct cyclohexane-fused 5-8-6 ring system, different from the prevalent 5-8-5 scaffold synthesized by well-established enzymes. This study identifies two conformations of a carbocation intermediate, revealing how the enzyme environment prohibits one conformation due to steric hindrance, thereby directing the formation of the 5-8-6 system over the 5-8-5 scaffold. This investigation enhances our understanding of diterpene biosynthesis and the impact of enzyme environments on chemical reactions, providing valuable insights into the formation of complex cyclic structures.
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