Genome MiningReveals Widespread Catalytic Modes andChemical Diversity of Bacterial UbiA-Type Terpene Synthases
Abstract Bacterial UbiA prenyltransferases, known for their primary metabolism, are revealed as versatile terpene synthases (TSs) through genome mining. These enzymes operate in two modes: autonomous cyclization to produce structurally diverse terpenes, including unprecedented diterpenes and the first bacterial UbiA-derived sesquiterpenes; and cooperation with type II TSs to replace canonical type I enzymes. Downstream tailoring further diversifies UbiA-derived scaffolds. This work provides a genomic framework for the terpenoid discovery.
Authors
- Fang Zhou Yin
- Yi Ling Hu
- Hui Ming Ge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0468-808X)
- Xiao Ling Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8569-6398)
- Zhengren Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7302-6488)
- Zhe Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2402-8601)
- Ren Xiang Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6708-8700)
- Wan Xin Chen
- Jing Shi
Institutions
- King University (US)
- Nanjing Agricultural University (CN)
- Nanjing Tech University (CN)
- Peking University (CN)
- Nanjing University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Organic Letters
- Published
- 2026-08-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6c02777
- Primary Topic
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities