High Versatility of IPP and DMAPP Methyltransferases Enables Synthesis of C , C and C Terpenoid Building Blocks.

The natural substance class of terpenoids covers an extremely wide range of different structures, although their building block repertoire is limited to the C compounds DMAPP and IPP. This study aims at the characterization of methyltransferases (MTases) that modify these terpene precursors and the demonstration of their suitability for biotechnological purposes. All seven enzymes tested accepted IPP as substrate and altogether five C compounds and six C compounds were formed within the reactions.