Deoxyxylulose phosphate pathway to terpenoids

Recently. a mevalonate-independent pathway was discovered in bacteria and plants that leads to the formation of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. the two basic precursors of isoprenoids. Although many details of the widely distributed pathway are unknown, some intermediates, mechanisms, enzymes and genes of this novel route have been identified. Information on this pathway could provide the basis for the development of new antibiotics, herbicides and antimalarials.