Two terpene cyclases were used as biocatalytic tool, namely, limonene synthase from Cannabis sativa (CLS) and 5-epiaristolochene synthase (TEAS) from Nicotiana tabacum. They showed significant substrate flexibility towards non-natural prenyl diphosphates to form novel terpenoids, including core oxa-and thia-heterocycles and alkyne-modified terpenoids. We elucidated the structures of five novel monoterpene-analogues and a known sesquiterpene-analogue. These results reflected the terpene synthases' ability and promiscuity to broaden the pool of terpenoids with structurally complex analogues. Docking studies highlight an on-off conversion of the unnatural substrates.
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