FDPS siRNA – Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase Isoform a (Human)

This gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the production of geranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate from isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate. The resulting product, farnesyl pyrophosphate, is a key intermediate in cholesterol and sterol biosynthesis, a substrate for protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation, and a ligand or agonist for certain hormone receptors and growth receptors. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme prevent the post-translational modifications of small GTPases and have been used to treat diseases related to bone resorption. Multiple pseudogenes have been found on chromosomes 1, 7, 14, 15, 21 and X. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2008]

FDPS: Key enzyme in isoprenoid biosynthesis which catalyzes the formation of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), a precursor for several classes of essential metabolites including sterols, dolichols, carotenoids, and ubiquinones. FPP also serves as substrate for protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation. Catalyzes the sequential condensation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate with the allylic pyrophosphates, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, and then with the resultant geranylpyrophosphate to the ultimate product farnesyl pyrophosphate. Belongs to the FPP/GGPP synthase family.

Protein type: Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; EC 2.5.1.10; Secondary Metabolites Metabolism - terpenoid backbone biosynthesis; EC 2.5.1.1; Transferase

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 1q22

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; mitochondrion; cytoplasm; cytosol

Molecular Function: geranyltranstransferase activity; dimethylallyltranstransferase activity; metal ion binding

Biological Process: viral reproduction; geranyl diphosphate biosynthetic process; farnesyl diphosphate biosynthetic process; cholesterol biosynthetic process