Isoprenoid biosynthesis via the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. (E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate: chemical synthesis and formation from methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate by a cell-free system from Escherichia coli

Abstract

2-C-Methyl-d-erythritol cyclodiphosphate is converted into (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate by a cell-free system from an Escherichia coli strain overexpressing the gcpE gene. The latter diphosphate, representing probably the last intermediate in the MEP pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis, was identified by comparison with reference material obtained by chemical synthesis.