Cycloartenol synthase explained

cycloartenol synthase
Ec Number:	5.4.99.8
Cas Number:	9075-25-6
Go Code:	0016871

In enzymology, a cycloartenol synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene

\rightleftharpoons cycloartenol

Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene, and one product, cycloartenol.

This enzyme is an oxidosqualene cyclase and belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically those intramolecular transferases transferring other groups. This enzyme participates in biosynthesis of steroids.

Nomenclature

The systematic name of this enzyme class is:

• (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, cycloartenol-forming).

Other names in common use include:

• 2,3-epoxysqualene cycloartenol-cyclase
• squalene-2,3-epoxide-cycloartenol cyclase
• 2,3-epoxysqualene cycloartenol-cyclase
• 2,3-epoxysqualene-cycloartenol cyclase
• 2,3-oxidosqualene-cycloartenol cyclase

References

• Rees HH, Goad LJ, Goodwin TW . 1969 . 2,3-oxidosqualene cycloartenol cyclase from Ochromonas malhamensis . Biochim. Biophys. Acta . 176 . 892 - 4 . 5797101 . 4 . 10.1016/0005-2760(69)90274-4.