Geraniol synthase (GES)

Geraniol synthase is a plant-derived enzyme, primarily classified as a monoterpene synthase, that catalyzes the conversion of geranyl diphosphate (GPP) to geraniol (EC 3.1.7.11) [1][2]. This enzyme is integral to the specialized metabolism of various aromatic plants, such as Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Vitis vinifera (grape), where it contributes to the production of floral scents and chemical defenses against herbivores and pathogens [3]. Although it is not a direct therapeutic target in humans, geraniol synthase is a major focus in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for the sustainable production of geraniol [4]. Geraniol itself is a high-value compound used extensively in the flavor and fragrance industries and has shown potential pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects [5]. Consequently, research into geraniol synthase often targets the optimization of enzyme kinetics and expression levels in microbial hosts like yeast or E. coli for industrial-scale biosynthesis of terpenoid precursors [4]. [1] https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/3.1.7.11 [2] https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P0C1N1/entry [3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15516502/ [4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24555464/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7011943/

Other names

Geranyl-pyrophosphate phosphohydrolaseGeraniol-forming terpene synthaseGPP phosphohydrolase(+)-geraniol synthase

Catalyzes the metal-dependent ionization and hydrolysis of geranyl diphosphate into geraniol and inorganic pyrophosphate [1][2].