Taxadiene synthase

The enzyme taxadiene synthase (EC 4.2.3.17) catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * geranylgeranyl diphosphate $$\rightleftharpoons$$ taxa-4,11-diene + diphosphate

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically those carbon-oxygen lyases acting on phosphates. The systematic name of this enzyme class is geranylgeranyl-diphosphate diphosphate-lyase (cyclizing, taxa-4,11-diene-forming). Other names in common use include geranylgeranyl-diphosphate diphosphate-lyase (cyclizing, and taxadiene-forming). This enzyme participates in diterpenoid biosynthesis.