Identification and Characterization of the Linalool/Nerolidol Synthase from Streptomyces clavuligerus

No cyclization: To produce the parent skeletons of diverse terpenoids, linear isoprenyl diphosphate precursors are usually cyclized by terpenoid cyclases. However, some terpenoid synthases produce acyclic terpenoids from the linear substrates. The linalool/nerolidol synthase reported here is the first example of a bacterial acyclic terpenoid synthase that shows significant homology to bacterial terpenoid cyclases.