Squalene-hopene cyclases.

Gabriele Siedenburg, Dieter Jendrossek

Index: Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 77(12) , 3905-15, (2011)

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Abstract

Hopanoids and sterols are members of a large group of cyclic triterpenoic compounds that have important functions in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. They are biochemically synthesized from linear precursors (squalene, 2,3-oxidosqualene) in only one enzymatic step that is catalyzed by squalene-hopene cyclase (SHC) or oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). SHCs and OSCs are related in amino acid sequences and probably are derived from a common ancestor. The SHC reaction requires the formation of five ring structures, 13 covalent bonds, and nine stereo centers and therefore is one of the most complex one-step enzymatic reactions. We summarize the knowledge of the properties of triterpene cyclases and details of the reaction mechanism of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius SHC. Properties of other SHCs are included.