Only recently, the existence of an alternative pathway, called as 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, was detected in certain eubacteria, protozoa and plastids of plants.

• 近年来在某些真细菌、原虫和植物原生质体中发现了另一条MEP(2-C-甲基-D-赤藓糖醇-4-磷酸)合成途径,而在哺乳动物中不存在,是极有希望的抗菌、抗疟和除草剂的分子药靶。