The presented thesis describes the discovery of a novel induced-fit mechanism for class I terpene cyclases. This molecular mechanism explains substrate activation and carbocation formation and -regulation in aqueous solution. Moreover, it was possible to co-crystallize another class I terpene cyclase with the naturally occurring by-product (R)-nerolidol. This pre-folded ligand allowed a detailed analysis of the cyclase’s active site. These crystal structures enabled us to formulate a structure based catalytic cycle for class I terpene cyclases.
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The presented thesis describes the discovery of a novel induced-fit mechanism for class I terpene cyclases. This molecular mechanism explains substrate activation and carbocation formation and -regulation in aqueous solution. Moreover, it was possible to co-crystallize another class I terpene cyclase with the naturally occurring by-product (R)-nerolidol. This pre-folded ligand allowed a detailed analysis of the cyclase’s active site. These crystal structures enabled us to formulate a structure b...
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