Detection of the Mevalonate Pathway in Streptomyces Species Using the 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Gene.

Isoprenoids found in all living organisms comprise essential components of biological systems such as sterols, carotenoids, dolichols, ubiquinones and prenylated proteins. These compounds are synthesized by consecutive condensations of the five-carbon precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), to its isomer, dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Two distinct pathways for these precursors are known. One is the classical mevalonate pathway that