Enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase) catalyses the sixth step in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in bacteria, plants and some parasites. It forms EPSP from shikimate 3-phosphate and phospho-enolpyruvate in an addition/elimination reaction the proceeds through a tetrahedral intermediate. Because this biosynthetic pathway is absent in animals, the enzyme is a potential antibacterial target with knock-out strains being avirulent.
Defined by 7 residues: ASP:A-49ASN:A-94ASP:A-313GLU:A-341HIS:A-385ARG:A-386LYS:A-411