InterPro domain: IPR001906

Sequences containing this domain belong to the terpene synthase family [ 1 ]. It has been suggested that this gene family be designated tps (for terpene synthase). Sequence comparisons reveal similarities between the monoterpene (C ₁₀ ) synthases, sesquiterpene (C ₁₅ ) synthases and the diterpene (C ₂₀ ) synthases. It has been split into six subgroups on the basis of phylogeny, called Tpsa-Tpsf [ 2 ].

• Tpsa includes vetispiridiene synthase Q39978 , 5-epi- aristolochene synthase, Q40577 and (+)-delta-cadinene synthase P93665 .
• Tpsb includes (-)-limonene synthase, Q40322 .
• Tpsc includes copalyl diphosphate synthase (kaurene synthase A), O04408 .
• Tpsd includes taxadiene synthase, Q41594 , pinene synthase, O24475 and myrcene synthase, O24474 .
• Tpse includes ent-kaurene synthase B Q39548 .
• Tpsf includes linalool synthase Q9ZPN5 .

In the fungus Phaeosphaeria sp. (strain L487) the synthesis of ent-kaurene from geranylgeranyl diphosphate is promoted by a single bifunctional protein [ 3 ].

1. Structural and Chemical Biology of Terpenoid Cyclases. Chem Rev 117, 11570-11648
2. Monoterpene synthases from grand fir (Abies grandis). cDNA isolation, characterization, and functional expression of myrcene synthase, (-)-(4S)-limonene synthase, and (-)-(1S,5S)-pinene synthase. J. Biol. Chem. 272, 21784-92
3. Ent-kaurene synthase from the fungus Phaeosphaeria sp. L487. cDNA isolation, characterization, and bacterial expression of a bifunctional diterpene cyclase in fungal gibberellin biosynthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 272, 21706-12