The isoprenoid alcohol pathway, a synthetic route for isoprenoid biosynthesis

Significance We have demonstrated the design, prototyping, and implementation of a non-natural route to isoprenoid biosynthesis, termed the isoprenoid alcohol (IPA) pathway. Opposed to working within the confines of native metabolic pathways, our approach of utilizing all available biochemical reactions identified a synthetic route to isoprenoid compounds that is both different and provides a more energy-efficient pathway compared with native isoprenoid biosynthesis. By improving the overall pathway design, the IPA pathway has the potential to facilitate the synthesis of a diverse range of isoprenoid compounds at high product titers and yields.