The disclosure relates to compounds of the formulae (I)-(IV) and their use as substrates for making terpenoids. New substrates for terpene biosynthesis and methods for making new types of terpenes are described herein. Diterpenes occupy a unique molecular space with critical pharmaceutical applications over a diverse spectrum including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory and psychoactive properties.

The present disclosure relates to nucleic acids that encode enzyme activities involved in the synthesis of lathyranes, intermediates in the synthesis of lathyranes and also compounds derived from lathyranes such as tiglianes, daphnanes and ingenanes; cells transformed with the nucleic acid molecules and vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules.