Information on EC 4.2.3.121 - (+)-alpha-pinene synthase

Cyclase I of Salvia officinalis (sage) gives about equal parts (+)-α-pinene and (+)-camphene, whereas cyclase III gives about equal parts of (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene. (3R)-Linalyl diphosphate can also be used by the enzyme in preference to (3S)-linalyl diphosphate. The 4-pro-R-hydrogen of geranyl diphosphate is lost. Requires Mg²⁺ (preferred to Mn²⁺) [1-4]. With synthase II of Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) (+)-α-pinene was the only product [5,6]. Requires Mn²⁺ (preferred to Mg²⁺). See also EC 4.2.3.122, (+)-β-pinene synthase, and EC 4.2.3.116, (+)-camphene synthase.