Genome mining of oxidation modules in trans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases reveals a culturable source for lobatamides

Bacterial trans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases (trans-AT PKSs) are multimodular megaenzymes that biosynthesize many bioactive natural products. They contain a remarkable range of domains and module types that introduce different substituents into growing polyketide chains. As one such modification, we recently reported Baeyer–Villiger-type oxygen insertion into nascent polyketide backbones, thereby generating malonyl thioester intermediates. In this work, genome mining focusing on architecturally diverse oxidation modules in trans-AT PKSs led us to the culturable plant symbiont Gynuella sunshinyii, which harbors two distinct modules in one orphan PKS. The PKS product was revealed to be lobatamide A, a potent cytotoxin previously only known from a marine tunicate. Biochemical studies show that one module generates glycolyl thioester intermediates, while the other is proposed to be involved in oxime formation. The data suggest varied roles of oxygenation modules in the biosynthesis of polyketide scaffolds and support the importance of trans-AT PKSs in the specialized metabolism of symbiotic bacteria.</p

Novel macrolactam compound produced by the heterologous expression of a large cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces rochei IFO12908

In the course of our studies on the heterologous expression of giant biosynthetic genes, we discovered a novel cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces rochei IFO12908. During our efforts to express biosynthetic genes using the host SUKA strain derived from Streptomyces avermitilis, a novel polyene macrolactam compound designated as JBIR-156 was produced. We report herein the cloning and heterologous expression of the JBIR-156 biosynthetic gene cluster, and the isolation, structure determination, and cytotoxic activity of this novel compound

Aranazoles: Extensively Chlorinated Nonribosomal Peptide-Polyketide Hybrids from the Cyanobacterium Fischerella sp. PCC 9339

International audienceAn analysis of cyanobacterial genomes revealed an architecturally unique biosynthetic gene cluster with an unusually high number of genes encoding predicted iron(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent halogenases. Mass spectrometry-guided identification of the corresponding metabolites yielded the aranazoles, extensively halogenated nonribosomal peptide− polyketide hybrids. Their chlorine-bearing fatty acyl-like moiety is reminiscent of the hyperhalogenated chlorosulfolipids, natural products of unknown enzymatic origin that were previously isolated from eukaryotic algae and mussels

Characterization of an Orphan TypeIII Polyketide Synthase Conserved in Uncultivated "Entotheonella" Sponge Symbionts

Uncultivated bacterial symbionts from the candidate genus “Entotheonella” have been shown to produce diverse natural products previously attributed to their sponge hosts. In addition to these known compounds, “Entotheonella” genomes contain rich sets of biosynthetic gene clusters that lack identified natural products. Among these is a small type III polyketide synthase (PKS) cluster, one of only three clusters present in all known “Entotheonella” genomes. This conserved “Entotheonella” PKS (cep) cluster encodes the type III PKS CepA and the putative methyltransferase CepB. Herein, the characterization of CepA as an enzyme involved in phenolic lipid biosynthesis is reported. In vitro analysis showed a specificity for alkyl starter substrates and the production of tri‐ and tetraketide pyrones and tetraketide resorcinols. The conserved distribution of the cep cluster suggests an important role for the phenolic lipid polyketides produced in “Entotheonella” variants.ISSN:1439-4227ISSN:1439-763

Toblerols, Cyclopropanol-Containing Modulators of Methylobacterial Antibiosis Generated by an Unusual Polyketide Synthase

ISSN:1433-7851ISSN:1521-3773ISSN:0570-083

A Polyketide Synthase Component for Oxygen Insertion into Polyketide Backbones

Enzymatic core components from trans‐acyltransferase polyketide synthases (trans‐AT PKSs) catalyze exceptionally diverse biosynthetic transformations to generate structurally complex bioactive compounds. Here we focus on a group of oxygenases identified in various trans‐AT PKS pathways, including those for pederin, oocydins, and toblerols. Using the oocydin pathway homologue (OocK) from Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13 and N‐acetylcysteamine (SNAC) thioesters as test surrogates for acyl carrier protein (ACP)‐tethered intermediates, we show that the enzyme inserts oxygen into β‐ketoacyl moieties to yield malonyl ester SNAC products. Based on these data and the identification of a non‐hydrolyzed oocydin congener with retained ester moiety, we propose a unified biosynthetic pathway of oocydins, haterumalides, and biselides. By providing access to internal ester, carboxylate pseudostarter, and terminal hydroxyl functions, oxygen insertion into polyketide backbones greatly expands the biosynthetic scope of PKSs.ISSN:1433-7851ISSN:1521-3773ISSN:0570-083

Manipulation of Regulatory Genes Reveals Complexity and Fidelity in Hormaomycin Biosynthesis

Hormaomycin (HRM) is a structurally remarkable peptide produced by Streptomyces griseoflavus W-384 that acts as a Streptomyces signaling metabolite and exhibits potent antibiotic activity against coryneform actinomycetes. HRM biosynthetic studies have been hampered by inconsistent and low production. To enhance fermentation titers, the role of its cluster-encoded regulatory genes was investigated. Extra copies of the putative regulators hrmA and hrmB were introduced into the wild-type strain, resulting in an increase of HRM production and its analogs up to 135-fold. For the HrmB overproducer, six bioactive analogs were isolated and characterized. This study demonstrates that HrmA and HrmB are positive regulators in HRM biosynthesis. A third gene, hrmH, was identified as encoding a protein capable of shifting the metabolic profile of HRM and its derivatives. Its manipulation resulted in the generation of an additional HRM analog