Reaction: (2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate = (+)-α-santalene + diphosphate
For diagram of reaction click here and mechanism click here.
Glossary: (–)-exo-α-bergamotene = (–)-trans-α-bergamotene = (1S,5S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
Systematic name: (2E,6E)-farnesyl-diphosphate lyase (cyclizing, (+)-α-santalene-forming)
Comments: The enzyme synthesizes a mixture of sesquiterpenoids from (2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate. As well as (+)-α-santalene, (–)-β-santalene and (–)-exo-α-bergamotene are formed with traces of (+)-epi-β-santalene. See EC 4.2.3.83 [(–)-β-santalene synthase], and EC 4.2.3.81 [(–)-exo-α-bergamotene synthase]. cf. EC 4.2.3.50 α-santalene synthase [(2Z,6Z)-farnesyl diphosphate cyclizing]
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Jones, C.G., Moniodis, J., Zulak, K.G., Scaffidi, A., Plummer, J.A., Ghisalberti, E.L., Barbour, E.L. and Bohlmann, J. Sandalwood fragrance biosynthesis involves sesquiterpene synthases of both the terpene synthase (TPS)-a and TPS-b subfamilies, including santalene synthases. J. Biol. Chem. 286 (2011) 17445-17454. [PMID: 21454632]