Reaction: (2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate = 7-epi-sesquithujene + diphosphate
For diagram of reaction click here and mechanism click here.
Other name(s): TPS4-B73
Systematic name: (2E,6E)-farnesyl-diphosphate diphosphate-lyase (7-epi-sesquithujene-forming)
Comments: The enzyme from Zea mays, variety B73, gives mainly 7-epi-sesquithujene with (S)-β-bisabolene and traces of other sesquiterpenoids, cf. EC 4.2.3.55 (S)-β-bisabolene synthase. It requires Mg2+ or Mn2+. The product ratio is dependent on which metal ion is present. 7-epi-Sesquithujene is an attractant for the emerald ash borer beetle.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Köllner, T.G., Schnee, C., Gershenzon, J. and Degenhardt, J. The variability of sesquiterpenes emitted from two Zea mays cultivars is controlled by allelic variation of two terpene synthase genes encoding stereoselective multiple product enzymes. Plant Cell 16 (2004) 1115-1131. [PMID: 15075399]