Unusual features of a recombinant apple α-farnesene synthase

Functional and kinetic analysis of a recombinant α-farnesene synthase from apple skin identified a prenyltransferase activity allowing biosynthesis of α-farnesene directly from geranyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate. Mutagenesis of the DDXXD active site motif abolished α-farnesene and monoterpene synthase, and prenyltransferase activities of this enzyme.