The molecular structure of an enzyme from a marine bacterium with potential industrial uses has been determined by RIKEN researchers. The insights they have gained could help make a range of useful compounds through genetic modification. The research is published in the journal Chemical Science.

The class of natural compounds known as terpenoids is nothing if not versatile, being used in a wide assortment of products, from perfumes and insect repellents to pesticides and drugs. More than 100,000 terpenoids have been identified so far. They are produced by an impressive range of organisms spanning animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Recently, marine organisms such as corals, sponges, and marine bacteria have been found to produce terpenoids with complex structures that show promise for fighting infectious diseases.