Reaction: geranylgeranyl diphosphate = rhizathalene A + diphosphate
For diagram of reaction click here and mechanism click here
Other name(s): TPS08 (gene name)
Systematic name: geranygeranyl-diphosphate diphosphate-lyase (rhizathalene A-forming)
Comments: The enzyme was identified in the roots of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress). The product is a semivolatile diterpene that acts as a local antifeedant in belowground direct defense against root-feeding insects.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, MetaCyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Vaughan, M.M., Wang, Q., Webster, F.X., Kiemle, D., Hong, Y.J., Tantillo, D.J., Coates, R.M., Wray, A.T., Askew, W., O'Donnell, C., Tokuhisa, J.G. and Tholl, D. Formation of the unusual semivolatile diterpene rhizathalene by the Arabidopsis class I terpene synthase TPS08 in the root stele is involved in defense against belowground herbivory. Plant Cell 25 (2013) 1108-1125. [PMID: 23512856]