Mutational analysis of white spruce (Picea glauca) ent-kaurene synthase (PgKS) reveals common and distinct mechanisms of conifer diterpene synthases of general and specialized metabolism

► Comparative modeling of spruce ent-kaurene synthase and abietadiene synthase. ► Mutational analyses identify functional domains and product specificity. ► Site directed mutagenesis reveals critical residues in spruce ent-kaurene synthase.