This family consists of several bacterial ectoine synthase proteins. The ectABC genes encode the diaminobutyric acid acetyltransferase (EctA), the diaminobutyric acid aminotransferase (EctB), and the ectoine synthase (EctC). Together these proteins constitute the ectoine biosynthetic pathway [1].

1: Osmotically regulated synthesis of the compatible solute ectoine in Bacillus pasteurii and related Bacillus spp. Kuhlmann AU, Bremer E; Appl Environ Microbiol 2002;68:772-783. PMID:11823218