enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase

(Abbreviation EPSP synthase or EPSPS). An enzyme produced by virtually all plants, which is essential for normal metabolism, and for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. Glyphosate - and sulfosate-containing herbicides act by inhibiting EPSP synthase activity, but because strain CP4 of Agrobacterium sp. is unaffected by glyphosate, the introduction of the CP4 EPSPS gene into crop plants generates a tolerance of glyphosate-containing herbicides.