The technology relates in part to biological methods for modifying carbon flux in cells, engineered cells and organisms in which cellular carbon flux has been modified, and methods of using engineered cells and organisms for production of organic molecules.

The technology relates in part to biological methods for modifying carbon flux in cells, engineered cells and organisms in which cellular carbon flux has been modified, and methods of using engineered cells and organisms for production of organic molecules.

Disclosed herein are methods for producing tulipalin A (-methylene--butyrolactone), recombinant cells or organisms for producing tulipalin A, enzymes needed for producing tulipalin A, and nucleic acids for expression of those enzymes.