Identification of gcpE as a novel gene of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli

The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis is essential in most eubacteria and plants and has remarkable biotechnological interest. However, only the first steps of this pathway have been determined. Using bioinformatic and genetic approaches, we have identified gcpE as a novel gene of the MEP pathway. The distribution of this gene in bacteria and plants strictly parallels that of the gene encoding l-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, which catalyses the first committed step of the MEP pathway, Our data demonstrate that the gcpE gene is essential for the MFP pathway in Escherichia coli and indicate that this gene is required for the trunk line of the isoprenoid biosynthetic route. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.