We are deeply saddened by the passing of Amos Bairoch (1957–2025), the creator of PROSITE. We wish to dedicate our latest paper, published shortly before his death, to him. He will always be a source of inspiration to us.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends, and to all those who had the privilege of working with him. Rest in peace, Amos. Your work will live on long after you are gone.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends, and to all those who had the privilege of working with him. Rest in peace, Amos. Your work will live on long after you are gone.
PROSITE documentation PDOC00825Terpene synthases signature
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PURL: https://purl.expasy.org/prosite/documentation/PDOC00825
Description
The following enzymes catalyze mechanistically related reactions which involve the highly complex cyclic rearrangement of squalene or its 2,3 oxide:
- Lanosterol synthase (EC 5.4.99.7) (oxidosqualene--lanosterol cyclase), which catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene to lanosterol, the initial precursor of cholesterol, steroid hormones and vitamin D in vertebrates and of ergosterol in fungi (gene ERG7).
- Cycloartenol synthase (EC 5.4.99.8) (2,3-epoxysqualene--cycloartenol cyclase), a plant enzyme that catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3- epoxysqualene to cycloartenol.
- Hopene synthase (EC 5.4.99.17) (squalene--hopene cyclase), a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the cyclization of squalene into hopene, a key step in hopanoid (triterpenoid) metabolism.
These enzymes are evolutionary related [1] proteins of about 70 to 85 Kd. As a signature pattern, we selected a highly conserved region which is rich in aromatic residues and which is located in the C-terminal section.
Last update:December 2004 / Pattern and text revised.
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Technical section
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Reference
| 1 | Authors | Corey E.J. Matsuda S.P.T. Bartel B. |
| Title | Isolation of an Arabidopsis thaliana gene encoding cycloartenol synthase by functional expression in a yeast mutant lacking lanosterol synthase by the use of a chromatographic screen. | |
| Source | Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:11628-11632(1993). | |
| PubMed ID | 7505443 |
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