1
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Yi Y, Liang L, de Jong A, Kuipers OP. A systematic comparison of natural product potential, with an emphasis on RiPPs, by mining of bacteria of three large ecosystems. Genomics 2024; 116:110880. [PMID: 38857812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The implementation of several global microbiome studies has yielded extensive insights into the biosynthetic potential of natural microbial communities. However, studies on the distribution of several classes of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) and polyketides (PKs) in different large microbial ecosystems have been very limited. Here, we collected a large set of metagenome-assembled bacterial genomes from marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems to investigate the biosynthetic potential of these bacteria. We demonstrate the utility of public dataset collections for revealing the different secondary metabolite biosynthetic potentials among these different living environments. We show that there is a higher occurrence of RiPPs in terrestrial systems, while in marine systems, we found relatively more terpene-, NRP-, and PK encoding gene clusters. Among the many new biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) identified, we analyzed various Nif-11-like and nitrile hydratase leader peptide (NHLP) containing gene clusters that would merit further study, including promising products, such as mersacidin-, LAP- and proteusin analogs. This research highlights the significance of public datasets in elucidating the biosynthetic potential of microbes in different living environments and underscores the wide bioengineering opportunities within the RiPP family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhai Yi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen 9747AG, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anne de Jong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen 9747AG, the Netherlands
| | - Oscar P Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen 9747AG, the Netherlands.
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2
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Han SW, Won HS. Advancements in the Application of Ribosomally Synthesized and Post-Translationally Modified Peptides (RiPPs). Biomolecules 2024; 14:479. [PMID: 38672495 PMCID: PMC11048544 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) represent a significant potential for novel therapeutic applications because of their bioactive properties, stability, and specificity. RiPPs are synthesized on ribosomes, followed by intricate post-translational modifications (PTMs), crucial for their diverse structures and functions. PTMs, such as cyclization, methylation, and proteolysis, play crucial roles in enhancing RiPP stability and bioactivity. Advances in synthetic biology and bioinformatics have significantly advanced the field, introducing new methods for RiPP production and engineering. These methods encompass strategies for heterologous expression, genetic refactoring, and exploiting the substrate tolerance of tailoring enzymes to create novel RiPP analogs with improved or entirely new functions. Furthermore, the introduction and implementation of cutting-edge screening methods, including mRNA display, surface display, and two-hybrid systems, have expedited the identification of RiPPs with significant pharmaceutical potential. This comprehensive review not only discusses the current advancements in RiPP research but also the promising opportunities that leveraging these bioactive peptides for therapeutic applications presents, illustrating the synergy between traditional biochemistry and contemporary synthetic biology and genetic engineering approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Woo Han
- Department of Biotechnology, Research Institute (RIBHS) and College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyung-Sik Won
- Department of Biotechnology, Research Institute (RIBHS) and College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea;
- BK21 Project Team, Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
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3
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Eslami SM, van der Donk WA. Proteases Involved in Leader Peptide Removal during RiPP Biosynthesis. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2024; 4:20-36. [PMID: 38404746 PMCID: PMC10885120 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.3c00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) have received much attention in recent years because of their promising bioactivities and the portability of their biosynthetic pathways. Heterologous expression studies of RiPP biosynthetic enzymes identified by genome mining often leave a leader peptide on the final product to prevent toxicity to the host and to allow the attachment of a genetically encoded affinity purification tag. Removal of the leader peptide to produce the mature natural product is then carried out in vitro with either a commercial protease or a protease that fulfills this task in the producing organism. This review covers the advances in characterizing these latter cognate proteases from bacterial RiPPs and their utility as sequence-dependent proteases. The strategies employed for leader peptide removal have been shown to be remarkably diverse. They include one-step removal by a single protease, two-step removal by two dedicated proteases, and endoproteinase activity followed by aminopeptidase activity by the same protease. Similarly, the localization of the proteolytic step varies from cytoplasmic cleavage to leader peptide removal during secretion to extracellular leader peptide removal. Finally, substrate recognition ranges from highly sequence specific with respect to the leader and/or modified core peptide to nonsequence specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Eslami
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, University of
Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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4
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Nguyen NA, Vidya FNU, Yennawar NH, Wu H, McShan AC, Agarwal V. Disordered regions in proteusin peptides guide post-translational modification by a flavin-dependent RiPP brominase. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1265. [PMID: 38341413 PMCID: PMC10858898 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45593-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To biosynthesize ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), enzymes recognize and bind to the N-terminal leader region of substrate peptides which enables catalytic modification of the C-terminal core. Our current understanding of RiPP leaders is that they are short and largely unstructured. Proteusins are RiPP precursor peptides that defy this characterization as they possess unusually long leaders. Proteusin peptides have not been structurally characterized, and we possess scant understanding of how these atypical leaders engage with modifying enzymes. Here, we determine the structure of a proteusin peptide which shows that unlike other RiPP leaders, proteusin leaders are preorganized into a rigidly structured region and a smaller intrinsically disordered region. With residue level resolution gained from NMR titration experiments, the intermolecular peptide-protein interactions between proteusin leaders and a flavin-dependent brominase are mapped onto the disordered region, leaving the rigidly structured region of the proteusin leader to be functionally dispensable. Spectroscopic observations are biochemically validated to identify a binding motif in proteusin peptides that is conserved among other RiPP leaders as well. This study provides a structural characterization of the proteusin peptides and extends the paradigm of RiPP modification enzymes using not only unstructured peptides, but also structured proteins as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyet A Nguyen
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - F N U Vidya
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Neela H Yennawar
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Hongwei Wu
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Andrew C McShan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
| | - Vinayak Agarwal
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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5
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Li H, Ding W, Zhang Q. Discovery and engineering of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:90-108. [PMID: 38333193 PMCID: PMC10849128 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00172e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) represent a diverse superfamily of natural products with immense potential for drug development. This review provides a concise overview of the recent advances in the discovery of RiPP natural products, focusing on rational strategies such as bioactivity guided screening, enzyme or precursor-based genome mining, and biosynthetic engineering. The challenges associated with activating silent biosynthetic gene clusters and the development of elaborate catalytic systems are also discussed. The logical frameworks emerging from these research studies offer valuable insights into RiPP biosynthesis and engineering, paving the way for broader pharmaceutic applications of these peptide natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Wei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
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6
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Lacerna N, Cong Y, Schmidt EW. An Autocatalytic Peptide Cyclase Improves Fidelity and Yield of Circular Peptides In Vivo and In Vitro. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:394-401. [PMID: 38194299 PMCID: PMC10804404 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Peptide cyclization improves conformational rigidity, providing favorable pharmacological properties, such as proteolytic resistance, target specificity, and membrane permeability. Thus, many synthetic and biosynthetic peptide circularization strategies have been developed. PatG and related natural macrocyclases process diverse peptide sequences, generating millions of cyclic derivatives. However, the application of these cyclases is limited by low yields and the potential presence of unwanted intermediates. Here, we designed a covalently fused G macrocyclase with substrates that efficiently and spontaneously release cyclic peptides. To increase the fidelity of synthesis, we developed an orthogonal control mechanism enabling precision synthesis in Escherichia coli. As a result, a library comprising 4.8 million cyclic derivatives was constructed, producing an estimated 2.6 million distinct cyclic peptides with an improved yield and fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noel Lacerna
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry,
College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ying Cong
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry,
College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Eric W. Schmidt
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry,
College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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7
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Arias-Orozco P, Zhou L, Yi Y, Cebrián R, Kuipers OP. Uncovering the diversity and distribution of biosynthetic gene clusters of prochlorosins and other putative RiPPs in marine Synechococcus strains. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0361123. [PMID: 38088546 PMCID: PMC10783134 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03611-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Genome mining studies have revealed the remarkable combinatorial diversity of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) in marine bacteria, including prochlorosins. However, mining strategies also prove valuable in investigating the genomic landscape of associated genes within biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) specific to targeted RiPPs of interest. Our study contributes to the enrichment of knowledge regarding prochlorosin diversity. It offers insights into potential mechanisms involved in their biosynthesis and modification, such as hyper-modification, which may give rise to active lantibiotics. Additionally, our study uncovers putative novel promiscuous post-translational enzymes, thereby expanding the chemical space explored within the Synechococcus genus. Moreover, this research extends the applications of mining techniques beyond the discovery of new RiPP-like clusters, allowing for a deeper understanding of genomics and diversity. Furthermore, it holds the potential to reveal previously unknown functions within the intriguing RiPP families, particularly in the case of prochlorosins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Arias-Orozco
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yunhai Yi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rubén Cebrián
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh, Groningen, The Netherlands
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8
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Kan Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Ma Q, Zhou Y, Jiang X, Zhang W, Ruan Z. Endophytic Bacterium Flexivirga meconopsidis sp. nov. with Plant Growth-Promoting Function, Isolated from the Seeds of Meconopsis integrifolia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2899. [PMID: 38138043 PMCID: PMC10745605 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Strain Q11T of an irregular coccoid Gram-positive bacterium, aerobic and non-motile, was isolated from Meconopsis integrifolia seeds. Strain Q11T grew optimally in 1% (w/v) NaCl, pH 7, at 30 °C. Strain Q11T is most closely related to Flexivirga, as evidenced by 16S rRNA gene analysis, and shares the highest similarity with Flexivirga aerilata ID2601ST (99.24%). Based on genome sequence analysis, the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains Q11T and D2601ST were 88.82% and 36.20%, respectively. Additionally, strain Q11T showed the abilities of nitrogen fixation and indole acetic acid production and was shown to promote maize growth under laboratory conditions. Its genome contains antibiotic resistance genes (the vanY gene in the vanB cluster and the vanW gene in the vanI cluster) and extreme environment tolerance genes (ectoine biosynthetic gene cluster). Shotgun proteomics also detected antibiotic resistance proteins (class A beta-lactamases, D-alanine ligase family proteins) and proteins that improve plant cold tolerance (multispecies cold shock proteins). Strain Q11T was determined to be a novel species of the genus Flexivirga, for which the name Flexivirga meconopsidis sp. nov. is proposed. The strain type is Q11T (GDMCC 1.3002T = JCM 36020 T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Kan
- College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830017, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China;
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi 860000, China
| | - Qingyun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yiqing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830017, China;
| | - Zhiyong Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (Y.W.); (Q.M.); (Y.Z.); (X.J.)
- CAAS-CIAT Joint Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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9
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Choi B, Acuna A, Koos JD, Link AJ. Large-scale Bioinformatic Study of Graspimiditides and Structural Characterization of Albusimiditide. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2394-2404. [PMID: 37856788 PMCID: PMC10993234 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Graspetides are a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) that exhibit an impressive diversity in patterns of side chain-to-side chain ω-ester or ω-amide linkages. Recent studies have uncovered a significant portion of graspetides to contain an additional post-translational modification involving aspartimidylation catalyzed by an O-methyltransferase, predominantly found in the genomes of actinomycetota. Here, we present a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis focused on graspetides harboring aspartimide, for which we propose the name graspimiditides. From protein BLAST results of 5000 methyltransferase sequences, we identified 962 unique putative graspimiditides, which we further classified into eight main clusters based on sequence similarity along with several smaller clusters and singletons. The previously studied graspimiditides, fuscimiditide, and amycolimiditide, are identified in this analysis; fuscimiditide is a singleton, while amycolimiditide is in the fifth largest cluster. Cluster 1, by far the largest cluster, contains 641 members, encoded almost exclusively in the Streptomyces genus. To characterize an example of a graspimiditide in Cluster 1, we conducted experimental studies on the peptide from Streptomyces albus J1074, which we named albusimiditide. By tandem mass spectrometry, hydrazinolysis, and amino acid substitution experiments, we elucidated the structure of albusimiditide to be a large tetracyclic peptide with four ω-ester linkages generating a stem-loop structure with one aspartimide. The ester cross-links form 22-, 46-, 22-, and 44-atom macrocycles, the last of which, the loop, contains the enzymatically installed aspartimide. Further in vitro experiments revealed that the aspartimide hydrolyzes in a 3:1 ratio of isoaspartate to aspartate residues. Overall, this study offers comprehensive insight into the diversity and structural features of graspimiditides, paving the way for future investigations of this unique class of natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Arthur Acuna
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Joseph D. Koos
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - A. James Link
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
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10
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Bunyat-Zada AR, Ross AC. Highlights of bioinformatic tools and methods for validating bioinformatics derived hypotheses for microbial natural products research. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 76:102367. [PMID: 37453164 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Historically, bacterial natural products have served as an excellent source of drug leads, however, in recent decades the rate of discovery has slowed due to multiple challenges. Rapid advances in genome sequencing science in recent years have revealed the vast untapped encoded potential of bacteria to make natural products. To access these molecules, researchers can employ the ever-growing array of bioinformatic tools at their disposal and leverage newly developed experimental approaches to validate these bioinformatic-driven hypotheses. When used together effectively, bioinformatic and experimental tools enable researchers to deeply examine the full diversity of bacterial natural products. This review briefly outlines recent bioinformatic tools that can facilitate natural product research in bacteria including the use of CRISPR, co-occurrence network analysis, and combinatorial generation of microbial natural products to test bioinformatic hypotheses in the lab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir R Bunyat-Zada
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Avena C Ross
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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11
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Alexander AK, Elshahawi SI. Promiscuous Enzymes for Residue-Specific Peptide and Protein Late-Stage Functionalization. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300372. [PMID: 37338668 PMCID: PMC10496146 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The late-stage functionalization of peptides and proteins holds significant promise for drug discovery and facilitates bioorthogonal chemistry. This selective functionalization leads to innovative advances in in vitro and in vivo biological research. However, it is a challenging endeavor to selectively target a certain amino acid or position in the presence of other residues containing reactive groups. Biocatalysis has emerged as a powerful tool for selective, efficient, and economical modifications of molecules. Enzymes that have the ability to modify multiple complex substrates or selectively install nonnative handles have wide applications. Herein, we highlight enzymes with broad substrate tolerance that have been demonstrated to modify a specific amino acid residue in simple or complex peptides and/or proteins at late-stage. The different substrates accepted by these enzymes are mentioned together with the reported downstream bioorthogonal reactions that have benefited from the enzymatic selective modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Alexander
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Sherif I Elshahawi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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12
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Mrudulakumari Vasudevan U, Mai DHA, Krishna S, Lee EY. Methanotrophs as a reservoir for bioactive secondary metabolites: Pitfalls, insights and promises. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 63:108097. [PMID: 36634856 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Methanotrophs are potent natural producers of several bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs) including isoprenoids, polymers, peptides, and vitamins. Cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters identified from these microbes via genome mining hinted at the vast and hidden SM biosynthetic potential of these microbes. Central carbon metabolism in methanotrophs offers rare pathway intermediate pools that could be further diversified using advanced synthetic biology tools to produce valuable SMs; for example, plant polyketides, rare carotenoids, and fatty acid-derived SMs. Recent advances in pathway reconstruction and production of isoprenoids, squalene, ectoine, polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer, cadaverine, indigo, and shinorine serve as proof-of-concept. This review provides theoretical guidance for developing methanotrophs as microbial chassis for high-value SMs. We summarize the distinct secondary metabolic potentials of type I and type II methanotrophs, with specific attention to products relevant to biomedical applications. This review also includes native and non-native SMs from methanotrophs, their therapeutic potential, strategies to induce silent biosynthetic gene clusters, and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ushasree Mrudulakumari Vasudevan
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Dung Hoang Anh Mai
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Shyam Krishna
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Kadjo AE, Eustáquio AS. Bacterial natural product discovery by heterologous expression. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 50:kuad044. [PMID: 38052428 PMCID: PMC10727000 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural products have found important applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. In bacteria, the genes that encode the biosynthesis of natural products are often colocalized in the genome, forming biosynthetic gene clusters. It has been predicted that only 3% of natural products encoded in bacterial genomes have been discovered thus far, in part because gene clusters may be poorly expressed under laboratory conditions. Heterologous expression can help convert bioinformatics predictions into products. However, challenges remain, such as gene cluster prioritization, cloning of the complete gene cluster, high level expression, product identification, and isolation of products in practical yields. Here we reviewed the literature from the past 5 years (January 2018 to June 2023) to identify studies that discovered natural products by heterologous expression. From the 50 studies identified, we present analyses of the rationale for gene cluster prioritization, cloning methods, biosynthetic class, source taxa, and host choice. Combined, the 50 studies led to the discovery of 63 new families of natural products, supporting heterologous expression as a promising way to access novel chemistry. However, the success rate of natural product detection varied from 11% to 32% based on four large-scale studies that were part of the reviewed literature. The low success rate makes it apparent that much remains to be improved. The potential reasons for failure and points to be considered to improve the chances of success are discussed. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY At least 63 new families of bacterial natural products were discovered using heterologous expression in the last 5 years, supporting heterologous expression as a promising way to access novel chemistry; however, the success rate is low (11-32%) making it apparent that much remains to be improved-we discuss the potential reasons for failure and points to be considered to improve the chances of success. BioRender was used to generate the graphical abstract figure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjo E Kadjo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Alessandra S Eustáquio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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