Stabilisation of eudesmane cation by tryptophan 334 during aristolochene synthase catalysisElectronic Supplementary Information (ESI) available: GC profiles of co-injections of germacrene A from ASW334F and ASW334V with authentic germacrene A; mass spectra of germacrene A produced by ASW334V and of an authentic sample; mass spectra of valencene produced by ASW334F and of an authentic sample. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b3/b306867f/

Abstract
Analysis of the hydrocarbons produced during catalysis by mutants of aristolochene synthase from Penicillium roqueforti indicated that Trp 334 had a pivotal function for the efficient production of aristolochene from farnesylpyrophosphate most likely by stabilising the intermediate, eudesmane cation.
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