Cloning, sequencing, and biochemical characterization of the nostocyclopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster: molecular basis for imine macrocyclization

Structural advances toward understanding the catalytic activity and conformational dynamics of modular nonribosomal peptide synthetases

Covering: up to fall 2022.Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are a family of modular, multidomain enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of important peptide natural products, including antibiotics, siderophores, and molecules with other biological activity. The NRPS architecture involves an assembly line strategy that tethers amino acid building blocks and the growing peptides to integrated carrier protein domains that migrate between different catalytic domains for peptide bond formation and other chemical modifications. Examination of the structures of individual domains and larger multidomain proteins has identified conserved conformational states within a single module that are adopted by NRPS modules to carry out a coordinated biosynthetic strategy that is shared by diverse systems. In contrast, interactions between modules are much more dynamic and do not yet suggest conserved conformational states between modules. Here we describe the structures of NRPS protein domains and modules and discuss the implications for future natural product discovery.

Dynamic Control of Cyclic Peptide Assembly to Form Higher-Order Assemblies

Chirality correction, asymmetry, ring-chain tautomerism and hierarchical assemblies are fundamental phenomena in nature. They are geometrically related and may impact the biological roles of a protein or other supermolecules. It is challenging to study those behaviors within an artificial system due to the complexity of displaying these features. Herein, we design an alternating D,L peptide to recreate and validate the naturally occurring chirality inversion prior to cyclization in water. The resulting asymmetrical cyclic peptide containing a 4-imidazolidinone ring provides an excellent platform to study the ring-chain tautomerism, thermostability and dynamic assembly of the nanostructures. Different from traditional cyclic D,L peptides, the formation of 4-imidazolidinone promotes the formation of intertwined nanostructures. Analysis of the nanostructures confirmed the left-handedness, representing chirality induced self-assembly. This proves that a rationally designed peptide can mimic multiple natural phenomena and could promote the development of functional biomaterials, catalysts, antibiotics, and supermolecules.

Diversity, Biosynthesis and Bioactivity of Aeruginosins, a Family of Cyanobacteria-Derived Nonribosomal Linear Tetrapeptides

Aeruginosins, a family of nonribosomal linear tetrapeptides discovered from cyanobacteria and sponges, exhibit in vitro inhibitory activity on various types of serine proteases. This family is characterized by the existence of the 2-carboxy-6-hydroxy-octahydroindole (Choi) moiety occupied at the central position of the tetrapeptide. Aeruginosins have attracted much attention due to their special structures and unique bioactivities. Although many studies on aeruginosins have been published, there has not yet been a comprehensive review that summarizes the diverse research ranging from biogenesis, structural characterization and biosynthesis to bioactivity. In this review, we provide an overview of the source, chemical structure as well as spectrum of bioactivities of aeruginosins. Furthermore, possible opportunities for future research and development of aeruginosins were discussed.

Emulating nonribosomal peptides with ribosomal biosynthetic strategies

Peptide natural products are important lead structures for human drugs and many nonribosomal peptides possess antibiotic activity. This makes them interesting targets for engineering approaches to generate peptide analogues with, for example, increased bioactivities. Nonribosomal peptides are produced by huge mega-enzyme complexes in an assembly-line like manner, and hence, these biosynthetic pathways are challenging to engineer. In the past decade, more and more structural features thought to be unique to nonribosomal peptides were found in ribosomally synthesised and posttranslationally modified peptides as well. These streamlined ribosomal pathways with modifying enzymes that are often promiscuous and with gene-encoded precursor proteins that can be modified easily, offer several advantages to produce designer peptides. This review aims to provide an overview of recent progress in this emerging research area by comparing structural features common to both nonribosomal and ribosomally synthesised and posttranslationally modified peptides in the first part and highlighting synthetic biology strategies for emulating nonribosomal peptides by ribosomal pathway engineering in the second part.

Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Non-ribosomal Macrolactams by a Penicillin-Binding Protein-Type Thioesterase

Penicillin-binding protein-type thioesterases (PBP-type TEs) are an emerging family of non-ribosomal peptide cyclases. PBP-type TEs exhibit distinct substrate scopes from the well-exploited ribosomal peptide cyclases and traditional non-ribosomal peptide cyclases. Their unique properties, as well as their stand-alone nature, highlight PBP-type TEs as valuable candidates for development as biocatalysts for peptide macrocyclization. Here in this chapter, we describe the scheme for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of non-ribosomal macrolactam by SurE, a representative member of PBP-type TEs.

In silico analysis of koranimine, a cyclic imine compound from Peribacillus frigoritolerans reveals potential nematicidal activity

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a destructive vector-borne forest disease caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. To date, several options are available for the management of pine wilt disease; however constant development and search for natural products with potential nematicidal activity are imperative to diversify management options and to cope with the possible future emergence of resistance in parasitic nematodes. Here, a combined metabolomics and genomics approach was employed to investigate the chemical repertoire and biosynthetic potential of the bacterial endophyte Peribacillus frigoritolerans BE93, previously characterized to exhibit nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus. Feature-based molecular networking revealed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites. A cyclic imine heptapeptide, koranimine, was found to be among the most abundant secondary metabolites produced. Genome mining displayed the presence of several putative biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including a dedicated non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) BGC for koranimine. Given the non-ribosomal peptide nature of koranimine, in silico molecular docking analysis was conducted to investigate its potential nematicidal activity against the target receptor ivermectin-sensitive invertebrate α glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl). Results revealed the binding of koranimine at the allosteric site of the channel-the ivermectin binding site. Moreover, the ligand-receptor interactions observed were mostly shared between koranimine and ivermectin when bound to the α GluCl receptor thus, suggesting a possibly shared mechanism of potential nematicidal activity. This study highlights the efficiency of combined metabolomics and genomics approach in the identification of candidate compounds.

A new strain of Neowestiellopsis (Hapalosiphonaceae): first observation of toxic soil cyanobacteria from agricultural fields in Iran

Background

In the present research, challenges arose when many reports have been published on the poisoning of humans due to the ingestion of crops of Crataegus plants contaminated with cyanobacterial toxins. The discovery of several poisonings around agricultural zones prompted us to study the toxic compounds in a strain of Neowestiellopsis which is the most abundant in the agricultural zones of Kermanshah province of Iran, using a polyphasic approach. Molecular procedure was followed to study these strains deeply.

Material and methods

To elucidate their systematic position, besides the 16S rRNA gene, the analyses of molecular toxicity markers, namely nos, mcy G, mcy D and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), were also used.

Results

Based on the results, for the first time, we record the presence of a gene cluster coding for the biosynthesis of a bioactive compound (Nostopeptolides) that is very rare in this family and the presence of toxic compounds (microcystin), which might account for the poisoning of humans.

Conclusions

This case is the first observation of a toxic soil strain from the genus Neowestiellopsis from agricultural fields in Iran.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02525-x.

Beyond Soil-Dwelling Actinobacteria: Fantastic Antibiotics and Where to Find Them

Bacterial secondary metabolites represent an invaluable source of bioactive molecules for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Although screening campaigns for the discovery of new compounds have traditionally been strongly biased towards the study of soil-dwelling Actinobacteria, the current antibiotic resistance and discovery crisis has brought a considerable amount of attention to the study of previously neglected bacterial sources of secondary metabolites. The development and application of new screening, sequencing, genetic manipulation, cultivation and bioinformatic techniques have revealed several other groups of bacteria as producers of striking chemical novelty. Biosynthetic machineries evolved from independent taxonomic origins and under completely different ecological requirements and selective pressures are responsible for these structural innovations. In this review, we summarize the most important discoveries related to secondary metabolites from alternative bacterial sources, trying to provide the reader with a broad perspective on how technical novelties have facilitated the access to the bacterial metabolic dark matter.

Bioactive Metabolites Produced by Cyanobacteria for Growth Adaptation and Their Pharmacological Properties

Cyanobacteria are the most abundant oxygenic photosynthetic organisms inhabiting various ecosystems on earth. As with all other photosynthetic organisms, cyanobacteria release oxygen as a byproduct during photosynthesis. In fact, some cyanobacterial species are involved in the global nitrogen cycles by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Environmental factors influence the dynamic, physiological characteristics, and metabolic profiles of cyanobacteria, which results in their great adaptation ability to survive in diverse ecosystems. The evolution of these primitive bacteria resulted from the unique settings of photosynthetic machineries and the production of bioactive compounds. Specifically, bioactive compounds play roles as regulators to provide protection against extrinsic factors and act as intracellular signaling molecules to promote colonization. In addition to the roles of bioactive metabolites as indole alkaloids, terpenoids, mycosporine-like amino acids, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, ribosomal peptides, phenolic acid, flavonoids, vitamins, and antimetabolites for cyanobacterial survival in numerous habitats, which is the focus of this review, the bioactivities of these compounds for the treatment of various diseases are also discussed.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae as host for the recombinant production of polyketides and nonribosomal peptides

As a robust, fast growing and genetically tractable organism, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most widely used hosts in biotechnology. Its applications range from the manufacturing of vaccines and hormones to bulk chemicals and biofuels. In recent years, major efforts have been undertaken to expand this portfolio to include structurally complex natural products, such as polyketides and nonribosomally synthesized peptides. These compounds often have useful pharmacological properties, which make them valuable drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, or autoimmune disorders. In nature, polyketides and nonribosomal peptides are generated by consecutive condensation reactions of short chain acyl-CoAs or amino acids, respectively, with the substrates and reaction intermediates being bound to large, multidomain enzymes. For the reconstitution of these multistep catalytic processes, the enzymatic assembly lines need to be functionally expressed and the required substrates must be supplied in reasonable quantities. Furthermore, the production hosts need to be protected from the toxicity of the biosynthetic products. In this review, we will summarize and evaluate the status quo regarding the heterologous production of polyketides and nonribosomal peptides in S. cerevisiae. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, prerequisites for a successful pathway reconstitution could be deduced, as well as recurring bottlenecks in this microbial host.

The structure and biosynthesis of heinamides A1-A3 and B1-B5, antifungal members of the laxaphycin lipopeptide family

Laxaphycins are a family of cyclic lipopeptides with synergistic antifungal and antiproliferative activities. They are produced by multiple cyanobacterial genera and comprise two sets of structurally unrelated 11- and 12-residue macrocyclic lipopeptides. Here, we report the discovery of new antifungal laxaphycins from Nostoc sp. UHCC 0702, which we name heinamides, through antimicrobial bioactivity screening. We characterized the chemical structures of eight heinamide structural variants A1-A3 and B1-B5. These variants contain the rare non-proteinogenic amino acids 3-hydroxy-4-methylproline, 4-hydroxyproline, 3-hydroxy-d-leucine, dehydrobutyrine, 5-hydroxyl β-amino octanoic acid, and O-carbamoyl-homoserine. We obtained an 8.6-Mb complete genome sequence from Nostoc sp. UHCC 0702 and identified the 93 kb heinamide biosynthetic gene cluster. The structurally distinct heinamides A1-A3 and B1-B5 variants are synthesized using an unusual branching biosynthetic pathway. The heinamide biosynthetic pathway also encodes several enzymes that supply non-proteinogenic amino acids to the heinamide synthetase. Through heterologous expression, we showed that (2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-l-proline is supplied through the action of a novel enzyme LxaN, which hydroxylates l-proline. 11- and 12-residue heinamides have the characteristic synergistic activity of laxaphycins against Aspergillus flavus FBCC 2467. Structural and genetic information of heinamides may prove useful in future discovery of natural products and drug development.

Biosynthetic Cyclization Catalysts for the Assembly of Peptide and Polyketide Natural Products

Many biologically active natural products are synthesized by nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), polyketide synthases (PKSs) and their hybrids. These megasynthetases contain modules possessing distinct catalytic domains that allow for substrate initiation, chain extension, processing and termination. At the end of a module, a terminal domain, usually a thioesterase (TE), is responsible for catalyzing the release of the NRPS or PKS as a linear or cyclized product. In this review, we address the general cyclization mechanism of the TE domain, including oligomerization and the fungal C-C bond forming Claisen-like cyclases (CLCs). Additionally, we include examples of cyclization catalysts acting within or at the end of a module. Furthermore, condensation-like (CT) domains, terminal reductase (R) domains, reductase-like domains that catalyze Dieckmann condensation (RD), thioesterase-like Dieckmann cyclases, trans-acting TEs from the penicillin binding protein (PBP) enzyme family, product template (PT) domains and others will also be reviewed. The studies summarized here highlight the remarkable diversity of NRPS and PKS cyclization catalysts for the production of biologically relevant, complex cyclic natural products and related compounds.

Algal Toxic Compounds and Their Aeroterrestrial, Airborne and other Extremophilic Producers with Attention to Soil and Plant Contamination: A Review

The review summarizes the available knowledge on toxins and their producers from rather disparate algal assemblages of aeroterrestrial, airborne and other versatile extreme environments (hot springs, deserts, ice, snow, caves, etc.) and on phycotoxins as contaminants of emergent concern in soil and plants. There is a growing body of evidence that algal toxins and their producers occur in all general types of extreme habitats, and cyanobacteria/cyanoprokaryotes dominate in most of them. Altogether, 55 toxigenic algal genera (47 cyanoprokaryotes) were enlisted, and our analysis showed that besides the “standard” toxins, routinely known from different waterbodies (microcystins, nodularins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, cylindrospermopsins, BMAA, etc.), they can produce some specific toxic compounds. Whether the toxic biomolecules are related with the harsh conditions on which algae have to thrive and what is their functional role may be answered by future studies. Therefore, we outline the gaps in knowledge and provide ideas for further research, considering, from one side, the health risk from phycotoxins on the background of the global warming and eutrophication and, from the other side, the current surge of interest which phycotoxins provoke due to their potential as novel compounds in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, bioremediation, agriculture and all aspects of biotechnological implications in human life.

Dassonmycins A and B, Polycyclic Thioalkaloids from a Marine Sponge-Derived Nocardiopsis dassonvillei SCSIO 40065

Two polycyclic thioalkaloides dassonmycins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from Nocardiopsis dassonvillei SCSIO 40065 associated with marine sponge Petrosia sp. Structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, to have a 6/6/6/6-fused tetracyclic ring featuring a naphthoquinone[2,3-e]piperazine[1,2-c]thiomorpholine scaffold. Compound 2 formed a caged core through an additional ether bridge. Both compounds exhibited moderate antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Ideality in Context: Motivations for Total Synthesis

Total synthesis-the ultimate proving ground for the invention and field-testing of new methods, exploration of disruptive strategies, final structure confirmation, and empowerment of medicinal chemistry on natural products-is one of the oldest and most enduring subfields of organic chemistry. In the early days of this field, its sole emphasis focused on debunking the concept of vitalism, that living organisms could create forms of matter accessible only to them. Emphasis then turned to the use of synthesis to degrade and reconstitute natural products to establish structure and answer questions about biosynthesis. It then evolved to not only an intricate science but also a celebrated form of art. As the field progressed, a more orderly and logical approach emerged that served to standardize the process. These developments even opened up the possibility of computer-aided design using retrosynthetic analysis. Finally, the elevation of this field to even higher levels of sophistication showed that it was feasible to synthesize any natural product, regardless of complexity, in a laboratory. During this remarkable evolution, as has been reviewed elsewhere, many of the principles and methods of organic synthesis were refined and galvanized. In the modern era, students and practitioners are still magnetically attracted to this field due to the excitement of the journey, the exhilaration of creation, and the opportunity to invent solutions to challenges that still persist. Contemporary total synthesis is less concerned with demonstrating a proof of concept or a feasible approach but rather aims for increased efficiency, scalability, and even "ideality." In general, the molecules of Nature are created biosynthetically with levels of practicality that are still unimaginable using the tools of modern synthesis. Thus, as the community strives to do more with less (i.e., innovation), total synthesis is now focused on a pursuit for simplicity rather than a competition for maximal complexity. In doing so, the practitioner must devise outside-the-box strategies supplemented with forgotten or newly invented methods to reduce step count and increase the overall economy of the approach. The downstream applications of this pursuit not only empower students who often go on to apply these skills in the private sector but also lead to new discoveries that can impact numerous disciplines of societal importance. This account traces some select case studies from our laboratory over the past five years that vividly demonstrate our own motivation for dedicating so much effort to this classic field. In aiming for simplicity, we focus on the elusive goal of achieving ideality, a term that, when taken in the proper context, can serve as a guiding light to point the way to furthering progress in organic synthesis.

Toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria belonging to several species of the order Nostocales: A review

Cyanobacteria are well recognised as producers of a wide range of natural compounds that are in turn recognised as toxins that have potential and useful applications in the future as pharmaceutical agents. The order Nostocales, which is largely overlooked in this regard, has become increasingly recognised as a source of toxin producers including Anabaena, Nostoc, Hapalosiphon, Fischerella, Anabaenopsis, Aphanizomenon, Gloeotrichia, Cylindrospermopsis, Scytonema, Raphidiopsis, Cuspidothrix, Nodularia, Stigonema, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum and Desmonostoc species. The toxin compounds (i.e., microcystins, nodularin, anatoxins, ambiguines, fischerindoles and welwitindolinones) and metabolites are about to have a destructive effect on both inland and aquatic environment aspects. The present review gives an overview of the various toxins that are extracted by the order Nostocales. The current research suggests that these compounds that are produced by cyanobacterial species have promising future considerations as potentially harmful algae and as promising leads for drug discovery.

Nostoc edaphicum CCNP1411 from the Baltic Sea-A New Producer of Nostocyclopeptides

Nostocyclopeptides (Ncps) constitute a small class of nonribosomal peptides, exclusively produced by cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc. The peptides inhibit the organic anion transporters, OATP1B3 and OATP1B1, and prevent the transport of the toxic microcystins and nodularin into hepatocytes. So far, only three structural analogues, Ncp-A1, Ncp-A2 and Ncp-M1, and their linear forms were identified in Nostoc strains as naturally produced cyanometabolites. In the current work, the whole genome sequence of the new Ncps producer, N. edaphicum CCNP1411 from the Baltic Sea, has been determined. The genome consists of the circular chromosome (7,733,505 bps) and five circular plasmids (from 44.5 kb to 264.8 kb). The nostocyclopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster (located between positions 7,609,981-7,643,289 bps of the chromosome) has been identified and characterized in silico. The LC-MS/MS analyzes of N. edaphicum CCNP1411 cell extracts prepared in aqueous methanol revealed several products of the genes. Besides the known peptides, Ncp-A1 and Ncp-A2, six other compounds putatively characterized as new noctocyclopeptide analogues were detected. This includes Ncp-E1 and E2 and their linear forms (Ncp-E1-L and E2-L), a cyclic Ncp-E3 and a linear Ncp-E4-L. Regardless of the extraction conditions, the cell contents of the linear nostocyclopeptides were found to be higher than the cyclic ones, suggesting a slow rate of the macrocyclization process.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Cryptophycin-Producing Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Strain ATCC 53789

Nostoc sp. strain ATCC 53789 is a producer of cryptophycins, which are promising anticancer agents. Here, we report the completely sequenced 8.7-Mb genome of Nostoc sp. strain ATCC 53789. The sequence provides insights into the metabolic network of this cyanobacterial strain and illuminates its potential for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.

Bioactive Peptides Produced by Cyanobacteria of the Genus Nostoc: A Review

Cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc are widespread in all kinds of habitats. They occur in a free-living state or in association with other organisms. Members of this genus belong to prolific producers of bioactive metabolites, some of which have been recognized as potential therapeutic agents. Of these, peptides and peptide-like structures show the most promising properties and are of a particular interest for both research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Nostoc is a sole source of some lead compounds such as cytotoxic cryptophycins, antiviral cyanovirin-N, or the antitoxic nostocyclopeptides. Nostoc also produces the same bioactive peptides as other cyanobacterial genera, but they frequently have some unique modifications in the structure. This includes hepatotoxic microcystins and potent proteases inhibitors such as cyanopeptolins, anabaenopeptins, and microginins. In this review, we described the most studied peptides produced by Nostoc, focusing especially on the structure, the activity, and a potential application of the compounds.

A Report on Finding a New Peptide Aldehyde from Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Bahar M by LC-MS and Marfey's Analysis

BACKGROUND

Cyanobacteria have a worldwide distribution in the terrestrial habitats, occurring predominantly on the surface of the soils, stones, rocks, and trees, practically in moist, neutral or alkaline aeries. The unique natural and bioactive compounds from cyanobacteria with various biological activities and an extensive range of chemical classes have a significant capability for expansion of the pharmaceuticals and other biomedical purposes.

OBJECTIVES

Regardless of the progresses in our knowledge on cyanobacteria, however, cyanobacteria are still viewed as an unexplored source of potential drugs. In this study presence of bioactive compounds among the cyanobacteria culture collection of Iran, where a wide variety of strains can be found, was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We explored one Nostoc strain isolated from rice fields in Golestan province of northern Iran for searching for novel products. The chemical construction of the new bioactive compound was clarified by application of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and Marfey's analysis of the degradation products.

RESULTS

We found a novel peptide aldehyde compound from a hydrophilic extract of the Nostoc sp. Bahar_M, which is composed of the three subunits, 2-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl) butanoic acid (Hhpba), L-Ile, and L-argininal. According to the structural information, we predicted that the novel peptide-aldehyde compound probably to be trypsin inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrated that terrestrial cyanobacteria are a promissing resource of bioactive natural products.

Natural products from thioester reductase containing biosynthetic pathways

Covering: up to 2018 Thioester reductase domains catalyze two- and four-electron reductions to release natural products following assembly on nonribosomal peptide synthetases, polyketide synthases, and their hybrid biosynthetic complexes. This reductive off-loading of a natural product yields an aldehyde or alcohol, can initiate the formation of a macrocyclic imine, and contributes to important intermediates in a variety of biosyntheses, including those for polyketide alkaloids and pyrrolobenzodiazepines. Compounds that arise from reductase-terminated biosynthetic gene clusters are often reactive and exhibit biological activity. Biomedically important examples include the cancer therapeutic Yondelis (ecteinascidin 743), peptide aldehydes that inspired the first therapeutic proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, and numerous synthetic derivatives and antibody drug conjugates of the pyrrolobenzodiazepines. Recent advances in microbial genomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and reactivity-based labeling have facilitated the detection of these compounds for targeted isolation. Herein, we summarize known natural products arising from this important category, highlighting their occurrence in Nature, biosyntheses, biological activities, and the technologies used for their detection and identification. Additionally, we review publicly available genomic data to highlight the remaining potential for novel reductively tailored compounds and drug leads from microorganisms. This thorough retrospective highlights various molecular families with especially privileged bioactivity while illuminating challenges and prospects toward accelerating the discovery of new, high value natural products.

Distinctive characters of Nostoc genomes in cyanolichens

BACKGROUND

Cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc are capable of forming symbioses with a wide range of organism, including a diverse assemblage of cyanolichens. Only certain lineages of Nostoc appear to be able to form a close, stable symbiosis, raising the question whether symbiotic competence is determined by specific sets of genes and functionalities.

RESULTS

We present the complete genome sequencing, annotation and analysis of two lichen Nostoc strains. Comparison with other Nostoc genomes allowed identification of genes potentially involved in symbioses with a broad range of partners including lichen mycobionts. The presence of additional genes necessary for symbiotic competence is likely reflected in larger genome sizes of symbiotic Nostoc strains. Some of the identified genes are presumably involved in the initial recognition and establishment of the symbiotic association, while others may confer advantage to cyanobionts during cohabitation with a mycobiont in the lichen symbiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study presents the first genome sequencing and genome-scale analysis of lichen-associated Nostoc strains. These data provide insight into the molecular nature of the cyanolichen symbiosis and pinpoint candidate genes for further studies aimed at deciphering the genetic mechanisms behind the symbiotic competence of Nostoc. Since many phylogenetic studies have shown that Nostoc is a polyphyletic group that includes several lineages, this work also provides an improved molecular basis for demarcation of a Nostoc clade with symbiotic competence.

Total Synthesis of Scytonemide A Employing Weinreb AM Solid-Phase Resin

The human 20S proteasome inhibitor scytonemide A (1), a macrocyclic imine originally isolated from the cyanobacterium Scytonema hofmanni, was synthesized via a biomimetic solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) approach employing the Weinreb AM resin. Utilizing this approach, cyclization of the protected heptapeptide via formation of the imine bond occurred spontaneously upon cleavage from the resin in the presence of a reducing agent and subsequent aqueous workup. The final deprotection step necessary to produce the natural product was accomplished under slightly basic conditions, facilitating cleavage of the silyl ether group while leaving the macrocycle intact. Purification of the synthetic scytonemide A was accomplished via normal-phase flash column chromatography, potentially facilitating larger scale preparation of the compound necessary for future mechanistic and SAR studies. The structure of the target compound was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, which also shed light on differences in the spectroscopic data obtained for the synthetic and natural scytonemide A samples for some of the amide and alcohol signals in the 1H NMR spectrum.

Oxidative Cyclization in Natural Product Biosynthesis

Oxidative cyclizations are important transformations that occur widely during natural product biosynthesis. The transformations from acyclic precursors to cyclized products can afford morphed scaffolds, structural rigidity, and biological activities. Some of the most dramatic structural alterations in natural product biosynthesis occur through oxidative cyclization. In this Review, we examine the different strategies used by nature to create new intra(inter)molecular bonds via redox chemistry. This Review will cover both oxidation- and reduction-enabled cyclization mechanisms, with an emphasis on the former. Radical cyclizations catalyzed by P450, nonheme iron, α-KG-dependent oxygenases, and radical SAM enzymes are discussed to illustrate the use of molecular oxygen and S-adenosylmethionine to forge new bonds at unactivated sites via one-electron manifolds. Nonradical cyclizations catalyzed by flavin-dependent monooxygenases and NAD(P)H-dependent reductases are covered to show the use of two-electron manifolds in initiating cyclization reactions. The oxidative installations of epoxides and halogens into acyclic scaffolds to drive subsequent cyclizations are separately discussed as examples of "disappearing" reactive handles. Last, oxidative rearrangement of rings systems, including contractions and expansions, will be covered.

Peptide Macrocyclization Inspired by Non-Ribosomal Imine Natural Products

A thermodynamic approach to peptide macrocyclization inspired by the cyclization of non-ribosomal peptide aldehydes is presented. The method provides access to structurally diverse macrocycles by exploiting the reactivity of transient macrocyclic peptide imines toward inter- and intramolecular nucleophiles. Reactions are performed in aqueous media, in the absence of side chain protecting groups, and are tolerant of all proteinogenic functional groups. Macrocyclic products bearing non-native and rigidifying structural motifs, isotopic labels, and a variety of bioorthogonal handles are prepared, along with analogues of four distinct natural products. Structural interrogation of the linear and macrocyclic peptides using variable-temperature NMR and circular dichroism suggests that preorganization of linear substrates is not a prerequisite for macrocyclization.

A Genetic and Chemical Perspective on Symbiotic Recruitment of Cyanobacteria of the Genus Nostoc into the Host Plant Blasia pusilla L

Liverwort Blasia pusilla L. recruits soil nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria of genus Nostoc as symbiotic partners. In this work we compared Nostoc community composition inside the plants and in the soil around them from two distant locations in Northern Norway. STRR fingerprinting and 16S rDNA phylogeny reconstruction showed a remarkable local diversity among isolates assigned to several Nostoc clades. An extensive web of negative allelopathic interactions was recorded at an agricultural site, but not at the undisturbed natural site. The cell extracts of the cyanobacteria did not show antimicrobial activities, but four isolates were shown to be cytotoxic to human cells. The secondary metabolite profiles of the isolates were mapped by MALDI-TOF MS, and the most prominent ions were further analyzed by Q-TOF for MS/MS aided identification. Symbiotic isolates produced a great variety of small peptide-like substances, most of which lack any record in the databases. Among identified compounds we found microcystin and nodularin variants toxic to eukaryotic cells. Microcystin producing chemotypes were dominating as symbiotic recruits but not in the free-living community. In addition, we were able to identify several novel aeruginosins and banyaside-like compounds, as well as nostocyclopeptides and nosperin.

Natural Product Biosynthetic Diversity and Comparative Genomics of the Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are an ancient lineage of slow-growing photosynthetic bacteria and a prolific source of natural products with intricate chemical structures and potent biological activities. The bulk of these natural products are known from just a handful of genera. Recent efforts have elucidated the mechanisms underpinning the biosynthesis of a diverse array of natural products from cyanobacteria. Many of the biosynthetic mechanisms are unique to cyanobacteria or rarely described from other organisms. Advances in genome sequence technology have precipitated a deluge of genome sequences for cyanobacteria. This makes it possible to link known natural products to biosynthetic gene clusters but also accelerates the discovery of new natural products through genome mining. These studies demonstrate that cyanobacteria encode a huge variety of cryptic gene clusters for the production of natural products, and the known chemical diversity is likely to be just a fraction of the true biosynthetic capabilities of this fascinating and ancient group of organisms.

Draft Genome Sequence of the N2-Fixing Cyanobacterium Nostoc piscinale CENA21, Isolated from the Brazilian Amazon Floodplain

We announce here the draft genome sequence of Nostoc piscinale CENA21, a diazotrophic heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium isolated from the Solimões River, Amazon Basin, Brazil. It consists of one circular chromosome scaffold with 11 contigs and total size of 7,094,556 bp. Secondary metabolite annotations indicate a good source for the discovery of novel natural products.

Iminoboronate-Based Peptide Cyclization That Responds to pH, Oxidation, and Small Molecule Modulators

As a rich source of therapeutic agents, peptide natural products usually adopt a cyclic or multicyclic scaffold that minimizes structural flexibility to favor target binding. Inspired by nature, chemists have been interested in developing synthetic cyclic and multicyclic peptides that serve as biological probes and potential therapeutics. Herein we describe a novel strategy for peptide cyclization in which intramolecular iminoboronate formation allows spontaneous cyclization under physiologic conditions to yield monocyclic and bicyclic peptides. Importantly the iminoboronate-based cyclization can be rapidly reversed in response to multiple stimuli, including pH, oxidation, and small molecules. This highly versatile strategy for peptide cyclization should find applications in many areas of chemical biology.

4-Methylproline guided natural product discovery: co-occurrence of 4-hydroxy- and 4-methylprolines in nostoweipeptins and nostopeptolides

4-methylproline (4-mPro) is a rare nonproteinogenic amino acid produced by cyanobacteria through the action of a zinc-dependent long-chain dehydrogenase and a Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid (P5C) reductase homologue. Here, we used the presence of 4-mPro biosynthetic genes to discover new bioactive compounds from cyanobacteria. Eight biosynthetic gene clusters containing the 4-mPro biosynthetic genes nosE and nosF were found from publicly available cyanobacteria genomes, showing that 4-mPro is a good marker to discover previously unknown nonribosomal peptides. A combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) methods was used to screen 116 cyanobacteria strains from 8 genera. The 4-mPro biosynthetic genes were detected in 30 of the 116 cyanobacteria strains, 12 which were confirmed to produce 4-mPro by amino acid analysis. Species from the genus Nostoc were responsible for 80% of the positive results. Altogether, 11 new nonribosomal cyclic peptides, nostoweipeptin W1-W7 and nostopeptolide L1-L4, were identified from Nostoc sp. XPORK 5A and Nostoc sp. UK2aImI, respectively, and their chemical structure was elucidated. Interestingly, screening with 4-mPro genes resulted in the detection of peptides that do not contain just one 4-mPro but also 4-hydroxylproline (nostopeptolides) and, in case of nostoweipeptins, two 4-mPros and two 4-hydroxyprolines. Peptides from both groups inhibit microcystin-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes HEK293. The cell experiments indicated that these cyclic peptides inhibit the uptake of microcystin by blocking the organic anion-transporters OATP1B1/B3. This study enriches the drug library of microcystin antitoxin.

Characteristics and biotechnology applications of aliphatic amino acid hydroxylases belonging to the Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily

The asymmetric hydroxylation of inactive carbon atoms is still an important reaction in the industrial synthesis of valuable chiral compounds such as pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Applications of monooxygenation enzymes, like cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, flavin-containing monooxygenases, and Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe/αKG-DOs), are strongly desired as hydroxylation biocatalysts because they have great advantages in regio- and stereoselectivity of the reactions. Recently, several novel Fe/αKG-DOs have been found to catalyze the asymmetric hydroxylation of aliphatic amino acids. Depending on their amino acid sequences, these Fe/αKG-DOs catalyze different types of regioselective hydroxylations, or C3-, C4-, and C5-hydroxylation. Additionally, most also have stereoselective sulfoxidation activities. Here, we have reviewed the characterization and process development of this novel functioning group of Fe/αKG-DOs.

Biosynthesis of ambiguine indole alkaloids in cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua

Ambiguines belong to a family of hapalindole-type indole alkaloid natural products, with many of the members possessing up to eight consecutive carbon stereocenters in a fused pentacyclic 6-6-6-5-7 ring scaffold. Here, we report the identification of a 42 kbp ambiguine (amb) biosynthetic gene cluster that harbors 32 protein-coding genes in its native producer Fischerella ambigua UTEX1903. Association of the amb cluster with ambiguine biosynthesis was confirmed by both bioinformatic analysis and in vitro characterizations of enzymes responsible for 3-((Z)-2'-isocyanoethenyl) indole and geranyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis and a C-2 indole dimethylallyltransferase that regiospecifically tailors hapalindole G to ambiguine A. The presence of five nonheme iron-dependent oxygenase coding genes (including four Rieske-type oxygenases) within the amb cluster suggests late-stage C-H activations are likely responsible for the structural diversities of ambiguines by regio- and stereospecific chlorination, hydroxylation, epoxidation, and sp(2)-sp(3) C-C bond formation.

Adaptation of an L-proline adenylation domain to use 4-propyl-L-proline in the evolution of lincosamide biosynthesis

Clinically used lincosamide antibiotic lincomycin incorporates in its structure 4-propyl-L-proline (PPL), an unusual amino acid, while celesticetin, a less efficient related compound, makes use of proteinogenic L-proline. Biochemical characterization, as well as phylogenetic analysis and homology modelling combined with the molecular dynamics simulation were employed for complex comparative analysis of the orthologous protein pair LmbC and CcbC from the biosynthesis of lincomycin and celesticetin, respectively. The analysis proved the compared proteins to be the stand-alone adenylation domains strictly preferring their own natural substrate, PPL or L-proline. The LmbC substrate binding pocket is adapted to accomodate a rare PPL precursor. When compared with L-proline specific ones, several large amino acid residues were replaced by smaller ones opening a channel which allowed the alkyl side chain of PPL to be accommodated. One of the most important differences, that of the residue corresponding to V306 in CcbC changing to G308 in LmbC, was investigated in vitro and in silico. Moreover, the substrate binding pocket rearrangement also allowed LmbC to effectively adenylate 4-butyl-L-proline and 4-pentyl-L-proline, substrates with even longer alkyl side chains, producing more potent lincosamides. A shift of LmbC substrate specificity appears to be an integral part of biosynthetic pathway adaptation to the PPL acquisition. A set of genes presumably coding for the PPL biosynthesis is present in the lincomycin - but not in the celesticetin cluster; their homologs are found in biosynthetic clusters of some pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBD) and hormaomycin. Whereas in the PBD and hormaomycin pathways the arising precursors are condensed to another amino acid moiety, the LmbC protein is the first functionally proved part of a unique condensation enzyme connecting PPL to the specialized amino sugar building unit.

EcdGHK are three tailoring iron oxygenases for amino acid building blocks of the echinocandin scaffold

The echinocandins are a small group of fungal N-acylated cyclic hexapeptides that are fungicidal for candida strains and fungistatic for aspergilli by targeting cell wall 1,3-β-glucan synthases. The side chains of all six amino acid building blocks have hydroxyl groups, including the nonproteinogenic 4R,5R-dihydroxy-Orn1, 4R-OH-Pro3, 3S,4S-dihydroxy-homoTyr4, and 3S-OH-4S-Me-Pro6. The echinocandin (ecd) gene cluster contains two predicted nonheme mononuclear iron oxygenase genes (ecdG,K) and one encoding a P450 type heme protein (ecdH). Deletion of the ecdH gene in the producing strain Emericella rugulosa generates an echinocandin scaffold (echinocandin D) lacking both hydroxyl groups on Orn1. Correspondingly, the ΔecdG strain failed to hydroxylate C3 of the homoTyr residue, and purified EcdG hydroxylated free L-homoTyr at C3. The ΔecdK strain failed to generate mature echinocandin unless supplemented with either 4R-Me-Pro or 3S-OH-4S-Me-Pro, indicating blockage of a step upstream of Me-Pro formation. Purified EcdK is a Leu 5-hydroxylase, acting iteratively at C5 to yield γ-Me-Glu-γ-semialdehyde in equilibrium with the cyclic imine product. Evaluation of deshydroxyechinocandin scaffolds in the in vitro anticandidal assays revealed up to a 3-fold loss of potency for the ΔecdG scaffolds, but a 3-fold gain of potency for the ΔecdH scaffold, in line with prior results on deoxyechinocandin homologues.

A genomic approach to the cryptic secondary metabolome of the anaerobic world

A total of 211 complete and published genomes from anaerobic bacteria are analysed for the presence of secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters, in particular those tentatively coding for polyketide synthases (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS). We investigate the distribution of these gene clusters according to bacterial phylogeny and, if known, correlate these to the type of metabolic pathways they encode. The potential of anaerobes as secondary metabolite producers is highlighted.

Identification and characterization of the echinocandin B biosynthetic gene cluster from Emericella rugulosa NRRL 11440

Echinocandins are a family of fungal lipidated cyclic hexapeptide natural products. Due to their effectiveness as antifungal agents, three semisynthetic derivatives have been developed and approved for treatment of human invasive candidiasis. All six of the amino acid residues are hydroxylated, including 4R,5R-dihydroxy-L-ornithine, 4R-hydroxyl-L-proline, 3S,4S-dihydroxy-L-homotyrosine, and 3S-hydroxyl-4S-methyl-L-proline. We report here the biosynthetic gene cluster of echinocandin B 1 from Emericella rugulosa NRRL 11440 containing genes encoding for a six-module nonribosomal peptide synthetase EcdA, an acyl-AMP ligase EcdI, and oxygenases EcdG, EcdH, and EcdK. We showed EcdI activates linoleate as linoleyl-AMP and installs it on the first thiolation domain of EcdA. We have also established through ATP-PP(i) exchange assay that EcdA loads L-ornithine in the first module. A separate hty gene cluster encodes four enzymes for de novo generation of L-homotyrosine from acetyl-CoA and 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate is found from the sequenced genome. Deletions in the ecdA, and htyA genes validate their essential roles in echinocandin B production. Five predicted iron-centered oxygenase genes, ecdG, ecdH, ecdK, htyE, and htyF, in the two separate ecd and hty clusters are likely to be the tailoring oxygenases for maturation of the nascent NRPS lipohexapeptidolactam product.

Ribosome-independent biosynthesis of biologically active peptides: Application of synthetic biology to generate structural diversity

Peptide natural products continue to play an important role in modern medicine as last-resort treatments of many life-threatening diseases, as they display many interesting biological activities ranging from antibiotic to antineoplastic. A large fraction of these microbial natural products is assembled by ribosome-independent mechanisms. Progress in sequencing technology and the mechanistic understanding of secondary metabolite pathways has led to the discovery of many formerly cryptic natural products and a molecular understanding of their assembly. Those advances enable us to apply protein and metabolic engineering approaches towards the manipulation of biosynthetic pathways. In this review we discuss the application potential of both templated and non-templated pathways as well as chemoenzymatic strategies for the structural diversification and tailoring of peptide natural products.

Natural product biosyntheses in cyanobacteria: A treasure trove of unique enzymes

Cyanobacteria are prolific producers of natural products. Investigations into the biochemistry responsible for the formation of these compounds have revealed fascinating mechanisms that are not, or only rarely, found in other microorganisms. In this article, we survey the biosynthetic pathways of cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats. We especially emphasize modular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) pathways and highlight the unique enzyme mechanisms that were elucidated or can be anticipated for the individual products. We further include ribosomal natural products and UV-absorbing pigments from cyanobacteria. Mechanistic insights obtained from the biochemical studies of cyanobacterial pathways can inspire the development of concepts for the design of bioactive compounds by synthetic-biology approaches in the future.

Proteomics-based discovery of koranimine, a cyclic imine natural product

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs) are large enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of medically and ecologically important secondary metabolites. In a previous report, we described a proteomics approach to screen for expressed NRPSs or PKSs from bacteria with or without sequenced genomes. Here we used this proteome mining approach to discover a novel natural product arising from rare adenylation (A) and reductase (Red) domains in its biosynthetic machinery. We also cloned the entire gene cluster and elucidated the biosynthesis of the new compound, which is produced by an unsequenced Bacillus sp. isolated from soil collected in Koran, Louisiana.

Biosynthesis of lovastatin and related metabolites formed by fungal iterative PKS enzymes

The fungal polyketide lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering agent that is an immediate precursor to a multi-billion dollar drug, simvastatin (Zocor). Lovastatin is produced by an iterative type I polyketide synthase known as LovB and a partner enoyl reductase (LovC). There is evidence that a Diels-Alderase enzyme activity is utilized in its biosynthesis. This review examines the biosynthesis of lovastatin, as well as of compactin, equisetin, cytochalasins, and solanapyrones, which are other structurally related polyketides that appear to utilize a Diels-Alderase.

Staphylococcus aureus nonribosomal peptide secondary metabolites regulate virulence

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that is resistant to numerous antibiotics in clinical use. We found two nonribosomal peptide secondary metabolites--the aureusimines, made by S. aureus--that are not antibiotics, but function as regulators of virulence factor expression and are necessary for productive infections. In vivo mouse models of bacteremia showed that strains of S. aureus unable to produce aureusimines were attenuated and/or cleared from major organs, including the spleen, liver, and heart. Targeting aureusimine synthesis may offer novel leads for anti-infective drugs.

Natural products version 2.0: connecting genes to molecules

Natural products have played a prominent role in the history of organic chemistry, and they continue to be important as drugs, biological probes, and targets of study for synthetic and analytical chemists. In this Perspective, we explore how connecting Nature's small molecules to the genes that encode them has sparked a renaissance in natural product research, focusing primarily on the biosynthesis of polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides. We survey monomer biogenesis, coupling chemistries from templated and non-templated pathways, and the broad set of tailoring reactions and hybrid pathways that give rise to the diverse scaffolds and functionalization patterns of natural products. We conclude by considering two questions: What would it take to find all natural product scaffolds? What kind of scientists will be studying natural products in the future?

The unique mechanistic transformations involved in the biosynthesis of modular natural products from marine cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are abundant producers of natural products well recognized for their bioactivity and utility in drug discovery and biotechnology applications. In the last decade, characterization of several modular gene clusters that code for the biosynthesis of these compounds has revealed a number of unusual enzymatic reactions. In this article, we review several mechanistic transformations identified in marine cyanobacterial biosynthetic pathways, with an emphasis on modular polyketide synthase(PKS)/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene clusters. In selected instances, we also make comparisons between cyanobacterial gene clusters derived from marine and freshwater strains. We then provide an overview of recent developments in cyanobacterial natural products biosynthesis made available through genome sequencing and new advances in bioinformatics and genetics.

Automated genome mining for natural products

BACKGROUND

Discovery of new medicinal agents from natural sources has largely been an adventitious process based on screening of plant and microbial extracts combined with bioassay-guided identification and natural product structure elucidation. Increasingly rapid and more cost-effective genome sequencing technologies coupled with advanced computational power have converged to transform this trend toward a more rational and predictive pursuit.

RESULTS

We have developed a rapid method of scanning genome sequences for multiple polyketide, nonribosomal peptide, and mixed combination natural products with output in a text format that can be readily converted to two and three dimensional structures using conventional software. Our open-source and web-based program can assemble various small molecules composed of twenty standard amino acids and twenty two other chain-elongation intermediates used in nonribosomal peptide systems, and four acyl-CoA extender units incorporated into polyketides by reading a hidden Markov model of DNA. This process evaluates and selects the substrate specificities along the assembly line of nonribosomal synthetases and modular polyketide synthases.

CONCLUSION

Using this approach we have predicted the structures of natural products from a diverse range of bacteria based on a limited number of signature sequences. In accelerating direct DNA to metabolomic analysis, this method bridges the interface between chemists and biologists and enables rapid scanning for compounds with potential therapeutic value.