Conversion of Squalene to the Pentacarbocyclic Hopene
Reinert, D.J., Balliano, G., Schulz, G.E.(2004) Chem Biol 11: 121
- PubMed: 15113001 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2003.12.013
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1UMP - PubMed Abstract: 
The membrane protein squalene-hopene cyclase was cocrystallized with 2-azasqualene and analyzed by X-ray diffraction to 2.13 A resolution. The conformation of this close analog was clearly established, and it agreed with the common textbook presentation. The bound squalene undergoes only small conformational changes during the formation of rings A through D, thus requiring no intermediate. However, ring E formation is hindered by an entropic barrier, which may explain its absence in the steroids. The structure analysis revealed a mobile region between the active center cavity and the membrane, which may melt, opening a passage for squalene and hopene.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Albertstr. 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.