Geranyltranstransferase

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


 * geranyl diphosphate + isopentenyl diphosphate $$\rightleftharpoons$$ diphosphate + trans,trans-farnesyl diphosphate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are geranyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate, whereas its two products are diphosphate and trans,trans-farnesyl diphosphate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring aryl or alkyl groups other than methyl groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is geranyl-diphosphate:isopentenyl-diphosphate geranyltranstransferase. Other names in common use include farnesyl-diphosphate synthase, geranyl transferase I, prenyltransferase, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase, and farnesylpyrophosphate synthetase. This enzyme participates in biosynthesis of steroids and terpenoid biosynthesis.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, 25 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and.