Functional and Structural Characterization of a (+)-Limonene Synthase from Citrus sinensis

Terpenes make up the largest and most diverse class of natural compounds and have important commercial and medical applications. Limonene is a cyclic monoterpene (C₁₀) present in nature as two enantiomers, (+) and (−), which are produced by different enzymes. The mechanism of production of the (−)-enantiomer has been studied in great detail, but to understand how enantiomeric selectivity is achieved in this class of enzymes, it is important to develop a thorough biochemical description of enzymes that generate (+)-limonene, as well. Here we report the first cloning and biochemical characterization of a (+)-limonene synthase from navel orange (Citrus sinensis). The enzyme obeys classical Michaelis–Menten kinetics and produces exclusively the (+)-enantiomer. We have determined the crystal structure of the apoprotein in an “open” conformation at 2.3 Å resolution. Comparison with the structure of (−)-limonene synthase (Mentha spicata), which is representative of a fully closed conformation (Protein Data Bank entry 2ONG), reveals that the short H-α1 helix moves nearly 5 Å inward upon substrate binding, and a conserved Tyr flips to point its hydroxyl group into the active site.