A novel prenyltransferase, farnesylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, from the haloalkaliphilic archaeon, Natronobacterium pharaonis

FEBS Lett. 1994 Mar 21;341(2-3):291-4. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(94)80475-3.

Abstract

A novel prenyltransferase, farnesylgeranyl diphosphate (FGPP) synthase (EC 2.5.1.X), which synthesizes C25-prenyl diphosphate, was found in the haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natronobacterium pharaonis. It was separated from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase (EC 2.5.1.29), which synthesizes C20-prenyl diphosphate, a major prenyltransferase in this organism. The highest activity of FGPP synthase was observed when GGPP was used as the allylic substrate. FGPP synthase may synthesize a precursor for the C25 moiety of C20, C25 diether lipids using a longer allylic diphosphate, such as GGPP synthesized by GGPP synthase, rather than dimethylallyl diphosphate, which is the product of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase.

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases*
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • Halobacteriaceae / enzymology*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transferases / isolation & purification
  • Transferases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Transferases
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • farnesylgeranyl diphosphate synthase
  • Farnesyltranstransferase