This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically phosphorus-oxygen lyases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 2-phospho-4-(cytidine 5'-diphospho)-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol CMP-lyase (cyclizing; 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate-forming). Other names in common use include MECDP-synthase, 2-phospho-4-(cytidine 5'-diphospho)-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol, and CMP-lyase (cyclizing). This enzyme participates in biosynthesis of steroids.
Fellermeier M, Eisenreich W, Zenk MH, Bacher A, Rohdich F (2000). "Biosynthesis of terpenoids: YgbB protein converts 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate to 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.97: 2486–90. doi:10.1073/pnas.040554697. PMID 10694574.
Seto H (2000). "Studies on the nonmevalonate pathway: Formation of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate from 2-phospho-4-(cytidine 5'-diphospho)-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol". Tetrahedron Lett.41: 3395–3398. doi:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)00375-0.