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From Molecular Fossils of Bacterial Hopanoids to the Formation of Isoprene Units: Discovery and Elucidation of the Methylerythritol Phosphate Pathway

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Lipids

Abstract

Investigations on the biosynthesis of bacterial triterpenoids of the hopane series led to the unexpected discovery of an alternative mevalonate independent pathway for the formation of isoprene units. Methylerythritol phosphate, already presenting the C5 branched isoprene skeleton, is the key intermediate. This pathway was independently characterized in ginkgo embryos for the formation of diterpenoids. It is present in most bacteria and in the plastids of all organisms belonging to phototrophic phyla. The key steps of the discovery and elucidation of this metabolic route are presented in this review.

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Abbreviations

DMAPP:

Dimethylallyl diphosphate

DX:

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose

DXP:

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate

HMBPP:

(E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate

IPP:

Isopentenyl diphosphate

ME:

2-C-methyl-d-erythritol

MEcPP:

2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate

MEP:

2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate

MVA:

Mevalonic acid

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Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by a grant from the “Agence Nationale de la Recherche” (grant Nb ANR-05-BLAN-0217-02).

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  1. Institut de Chimie, Université Louis Pasteur/CNRS, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67070, Strasbourg Cedex, France

    Michel Rohmer

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Correspondence to Michel Rohmer.

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Rohmer, M. From Molecular Fossils of Bacterial Hopanoids to the Formation of Isoprene Units: Discovery and Elucidation of the Methylerythritol Phosphate Pathway. Lipids 43, 1095–1107 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3261-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3261-7

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