Structure, catalysis, and inhibition mechanism of prenyltransferase

Hsin Yang Chang, Tien Hsing Cheng, Andrew H.J. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Isoprenoids, also known as terpenes or terpenoids, represent a large family of natural products composed of five-carbon isopentenyl diphosphate or its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate as the building blocks. Isoprenoids are structurally and functionally diverse and include dolichols, steroid hormones, carotenoids, retinoids, aromatic metabolites, the isoprenoid side-chain of ubiquinone, and isoprenoid attached signaling proteins. Productions of isoprenoids are catalyzed by a group of enzymes known as prenyltransferases, such as farnesyltransferases, geranylgeranyltransferases, terpenoid cyclase, squalene synthase, aromatic prenyltransferase, and cis- and trans-prenyltransferases. Because these enzymes are key in cellular processes and metabolic pathways, they are expected to be potential targets in new drug discovery. In this review, six distinct subsets of characterized prenyltransferases are structurally and mechanistically classified, including (1) head-to-tail prenyl synthase, (2) head-to-head prenyl synthase, (3) head-to-middle prenyl synthase, (4) terpenoid cyclase, (5) aromatic prenyltransferase, and (6) protein prenylation. Inhibitors of those enzymes for potential therapies against several diseases are discussed. Lastly, recent results on the structures of integral membrane enzyme, undecaprenyl pyrophosphate phosphatase, are also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-63
Number of pages24
JournalIUBMB Life
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • farnesyl diphosphate
  • isoprenoid
  • prenyltransferase
  • terpene
  • terpenoid

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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