Research advances in squalene-hopene cyclase and its catalytic products hopanoids

Abstract:

Squalene-hopene cyclase (SHC) is an important member of the triterpene cyclase family. It mainly catalyzes the cyclogenesis of squalene, an important linear precursor in cells, to generate pentacyclic triterpenoids (hopanoids). These compounds mainly exist in prokaryotes and are relatively conserved and widely studied in bacteria. They are important components of bacterial cell membranes and their structures are similar to sterols in eukaryotic cell membranes. Hopanoids participate in physiological processes such as membrane fluidity and permeability, stress responses, and drug resistance. This paper reviews the research advances in SHC and its catalytic products hopanoids in terms of their functions and structures.