Structure and function of the RedJ protein, a thioesterase from the prodiginine biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces coelicolor

The structure of the monobactam-producing thioesterase domain of SulM forms a unique complex with the upstream carrier protein domain

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are responsible for the production of important biologically active peptides. The large, multidomain NRPSs operate through an assembly line strategy in which the growing peptide is tethered to carrier domains that deliver the intermediates to neighboring catalytic domains. While most NRPS domains catalyze standard chemistry of amino acid activation, peptide bond formation, and product release, some canonical NRPS catalytic domains promote unexpected chemistry. The paradigm monobactam antibiotic sulfazecin is produced through the activity of a terminal thioesterase domain of SulM, which catalyzes an unusual β-lactam-forming reaction in which the nitrogen of the C-terminal N-sulfo-2,3-diaminopropionate residue attacks its thioester tether to release the monobactam product. We have determined the structure of the thioesterase domain as both a free-standing domain and a didomain complex with the upstream holo peptidyl-carrier domain. The position of variant lid helices results in an active site pocket that is quite constrained, a feature that is likely necessary to orient the substrate properly for β-lactam formation. Modeling of a sulfazecin tripeptide into the active site identifies a plausible binding mode identifying potential interactions for the sulfamate and the peptide backbone with Arg2849 and Asn2819, respectively. The overall structure is similar to the β-lactone-forming thioesterase domain that is responsible for similar ring closure in the production of obafluorin. We further use these insights to enable bioinformatic analysis to identify additional, uncharacterized β-lactam-forming biosynthetic gene clusters by genome mining.

The structure of the monobactam-producing thioesterase domain of SulM forms a unique complex with the upstream carrier protein domain

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are responsible for the production of important biologically active peptides. The large, multidomain NRPSs operate through an assembly line strategy in which the growing peptide is tethered to carrier domains that deliver the intermediates to neighboring catalytic domains. While most NRPS domains catalyze standard chemistry of amino acid activation, peptide bond formation and product release, some canonical NRPS catalytic domains promote unexpected chemistry. The paradigm monobactam antibiotic sulfazecin is produced through the activity of a terminal thioesterase domain that catalyzes an unusual β-lactam forming reaction in which the nitrogen of the C-terminal N-sulfo-2,3-diaminopropionate residue attacks its thioester tether to release the β-lactam product. We have determined the structure of the thioesterase domain as both a free-standing domain and a didomain complex with the upstream holo peptidyl-carrier domain. The structure illustrates a constrained active site that orients the substrate properly for β-lactam formation. In this regard, the structure is similar to the β-lactone forming thioesterase domain responsible for the production of obafluorin. Analysis of the structure identifies features that are responsible for this four-membered ring closure and enable bioinformatic analysis to identify additional, uncharacterized β-lactam-forming biosynthetic gene clusters by genome mining.

Whole-genome sequencing-based characterization of Streptomyces sp. 6(4): focus on natural product

We have sequenced the whole genome of Streptomyces sp. 6(4) isolated from tomato roots that presents antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi, mainly Bipolaris sorokiniana. The genome has almost 7 Mb and 3368 hypothetical proteins that were analysed and characterized in Uniprot with the emphasis on biological compounds. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analyses were performed in an effort to characterize and identify this isolate, resulting in a new sequence type (ST), classified as ST64. Phenetic and phylogenetic trees were constructed to investigate Streptomyces sp. 6(4) evolution and sequence similarity, and the isolate is a strain closer to Streptomyces prasinus and Streptomyces viridosporus . It is known that the genus Streptomyces possess huge metabolic capacity with the presence of cryptic genes. These genes are usually present in clusters, which are responsible for the production of diverse natural products, mainly antibiotics. In addition, 6(4) showed 11 biosynthetic gene clusters through antiSMASH, including 3 polyketide synthase (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) type clusters.

Thioesterase enzyme families: Functions, structures, and mechanisms

Thioesterases are enzymes that hydrolyze thioester bonds in numerous biochemical pathways, for example in fatty acid synthesis. This work reports known functions, structures, and mechanisms of updated thioesterase enzyme families, which are classified into 35 families based on sequence similarity. Each thioesterase family is based on at least one experimentally characterized enzyme, and most families have enzymes that have been crystallized and their tertiary structure resolved. Classifying thioesterases into families allows to predict tertiary structures and infer catalytic residues and mechanisms of all sequences in a family, which is particularly useful because the majority of known protein sequence have no experimental characterization. Phylogenetic analysis of experimentally characterized thioesterases that have structures with the two main structural folds reveal convergent and divergent evolution. Based on tertiary structure superimposition, catalytic residues are predicted.

Functional Analysis of an Acyltransferase-Like Domain from Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Synthase in Thraustochytrium

Biosynthesis of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6-4,7,10,13,16,19) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5-4,7,10,13,16) in protist Thraustochytrium is catalyzed by a polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) synthase comprising three large subunits, each with multiple catalytic domains. This study used complementation test, in vitro assays, and functional expression to characterize an acyltransferase (AT)-like domain in Subunit-B of a PUFA synthase from Thraustochytrium. Complementation test in Escherichia coli showed that the AT-like domain could not restore the growth phenotype of a temperature-sensitive mutant (∆fabD^ts) defective in malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase activity. In vitro assays showed that the AT-like domain possessed thioesterase activity towards a few acyl-CoAs tested where docosahexaenoyl-CoA (DHA-CoA) was the preferred substrate. Expression of this domain in an E. coli mutant (∆fadD) defective in acyl-CoA synthetase activity resulted in the increased accumulation of free fatty acids. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that the substitution of two putative active site residues, serine at 96 (S96) and histidine at 220 (H220), in the AT-like domain significantly reduced its activity towards DHA-CoA and accumulation of free fatty acids in the ∆fadD mutant. These results indicate that the AT-like domain of the PUFA synthase does not function as a malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase, rather it functions as a thioesterase. It might catalyze the last step of the VLCPUFA biosynthesis by releasing freshly synthesized VLCPUFAs attached to ACP domains of the PUFA synthase in Thraustochytrium.

Biosynthesis of depsipeptides, or Depsi: The peptides with varied generations

Depsipeptides are compounds that contain both ester bonds and amide bonds. Important natural product depsipeptides include the piscicide antimycin, the K⁺ ionophores cereulide and valinomycin, the anticancer agent cryptophycin, and the antimicrobial kutzneride. Furthermore, database searches return hundreds of uncharacterized systems likely to produce novel depsipeptides. These compounds are made by specialized nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). NRPSs are biosynthetic megaenzymes that use a module architecture and multi-step catalytic cycle to assemble monomer substrates into peptides, or in the case of specialized depsipeptide synthetases, depsipeptides. Two NRPS domains, the condensation domain and the thioesterase domain, catalyze ester bond formation, and ester bonds are introduced into depsipeptides in several different ways. The two most common occur during cyclization, in a reaction between a hydroxy-containing side chain and the C-terminal amino acid residue in a peptide intermediate, and during incorporation into the growing peptide chain of an α-hydroxy acyl moiety, recruited either by direct selection of an α-hydroxy acid substrate or by selection of an α-keto acid substrate that is reduced in situ. In this article, we discuss how and when these esters are introduced during depsipeptide synthesis, survey notable depsipeptide synthetases, and review insight into bacterial depsipeptide synthetases recently gained from structural studies.

Structure, function, and regulation of thioesterases

Thioesterases are present in all living cells and perform a wide range of important biological functions by catalysing the cleavage of thioester bonds present in a diverse array of cellular substrates. Thioesterases are organised into 25 families based on their sequence conservation, tertiary and quaternary structure, active site configuration, and substrate specificity. Recent structural and functional characterisation of thioesterases has led to significant changes in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern enzyme activity and their respective cellular roles. The resulting dogma changes in thioesterase regulation include mechanistic insights into ATP and GDP-mediated regulation by oligomerisation, the role of new key regulatory regions, and new insights into a conserved quaternary structure within TE4 family members. Here we provide a current and comparative snapshot of our understanding of thioesterase structure, function, and regulation across the different thioesterase families.

Structure and Function of BorB, the Type II Thioesterase from the Borrelidin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster

α/β hydrolases make up a large and diverse protein superfamily. In natural product biosynthesis, cis-acting thioesterase α/β hydrolases can terminate biosynthetic assembly lines and release products by hydrolyzing or cyclizing the biosynthetic intermediate. Thioesterases can also act in trans, removing aberrant intermediates and restarting stalled biosynthesis. Knockout of this "editing" function leads to reduced product titers. The borrelidin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces parvulus Tü4055 contains a hitherto uncharacterized stand-alone thioesterase, borB. In this work, we demonstrate that purified BorB cleaves acyl substrates with a preference for propionate, which supports the hypothesis that it is also an editing thioesterase. The crystal structure of BorB shows a wedgelike hydrophobic substrate binding crevice that limits substrate length. To investigate the structure-function relationship, we made chimeric BorB variants using loop regions from characterized homologues with different specificities. BorB chimeras slightly reduced activity, arguing that the modified region is a not major determinant of substrate preference. The structure-function relationships described here contribute to the process of elimination for understanding thioesterase specificity and, ultimately, engineering and applying trans-acting thioesterases in biosynthetic assembly lines.

Molecular Basis for the Biosynthesis of an Unusual Chain-Fused Polyketide, Gregatin A

Gregatin A (1) is a fungal polyketide featuring an alkylated furanone core, but the biosynthetic mechanism to furnish the intriguing molecular skeleton has yet to be elucidated. Herein, we have identified the biosynthetic gene cluster of gregatin A (1) in Penicillium sp. sh18 and investigated the mechanism that produces the intriguing structure of 1 by in vivo and in vitro reconstitution of its biosynthesis. Our study established the biosynthetic route leading to 1 and illuminated that 1 is generated by the fusion of two different polyketide chains, which are, amazingly, synthesized by a single polyketide synthase GrgA with the aid of a trans-acting enoylreductase GrgB. Chain fusion, as well as chain hydrolysis, is catalyzed by an α/β hydrolase, GrgF, hybridizing the C₁₁ and C₄ carbon chains by Claisen condensation. Finally, structural analysis and mutational experiments using GrgF provided insight into how the enzyme facilitates the unusual chain-fusing reaction. In unraveling a new biosynthetic strategy involving a bifunctional PKS and a polyketide fusing enzyme, our study expands our knowledge concerning fungal polyketide biosynthesis.

The structural basis of N-acyl-α-amino-β-lactone formation catalyzed by a nonribosomal peptide synthetase

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases produce diverse natural products using a multidomain architecture where the growing peptide, attached to an integrated carrier domain, is delivered to neighboring catalytic domains for bond formation and modification. Investigation of these systems can lead to the discovery of new structures, unusual biosynthetic transformations, and to the engineering of catalysts for generating new products. The antimicrobial β-lactone obafluorin is produced nonribosomally from dihydroxybenzoic acid and a β-hydroxy amino acid that cyclizes into the β-lactone during product release. Here we report the structure of the nonribosomal peptide synthetase ObiF1, highlighting the structure of the β-lactone-producing thioesterase domain and an interaction between the C-terminal MbtH-like domain with an upstream adenylation domain. Biochemical assays examine catalytic promiscuity, provide mechanistic insight, and demonstrate utility for generating obafluorin analogs. These results advance our understanding of the structural cycle of nonribosomal peptide synthetases and provide insights into the production of β-lactone natural products.

The antimicrobial β-lactone obafluorin is produced by a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase (NRPS). Here the authors present the crystal structure of the obafluorin NRPS and develop a reconstitution assay that allows them to analyse product formation from obafluorin NRPS mutants and alternate substrates.

The many faces and important roles of protein-protein interactions during non-ribosomal peptide synthesis

Covering: up to July 2018 Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) machineries are complex, multi-domain proteins that are responsible for the biosynthesis of many important, peptide-derived compounds. By decoupling peptide synthesis from the ribosome, NRPS assembly lines are able to access a significant pool of amino acid monomers for peptide synthesis. This is combined with a modular protein architecture that allows for great variation in stereochemistry, peptide length, cyclisation state and further modifications. The architecture of NRPS assembly lines relies upon a repetitive set of catalytic domains, which are organised into modules responsible for amino acid incorporation. Central to NRPS-mediated biosynthesis is the carrier protein (CP) domain, to which all intermediates following initial monomer activation are bound during peptide synthesis up until the final handover to the thioesterase domain that cleaves the mature peptide from the NRPS. This mechanism makes understanding the protein-protein interactions that occur between different NRPS domains during peptide biosynthesis of crucial importance to understanding overall NRPS function. This endeavour is also highly challenging due to the inherent flexibility and dynamics of NRPS systems. In this review, we present the current state of understanding of the protein-protein interactions that govern NRPS-mediated biosynthesis, with a focus on insights gained from structural studies relating to CP domain interactions within these impressive peptide assembly lines.

YbtT is a low-specificity type II thioesterase that maintains production of the metallophore yersiniabactin in pathogenic enterobacteria

Clinical isolates of Yersinia, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli frequently secrete the small molecule metallophore yersiniabactin (Ybt), which passivates and scavenges transition metals during human infections. YbtT is encoded within the Ybt biosynthetic operon and is critical for full Ybt production in bacteria. However, its biosynthetic function has been unclear because it is not essential for Ybt production by the in vitro reconstituted nonribosomal peptide synthetase/polyketide synthase (NRPS/PKS) pathway. Here, we report the structural and biochemical characterization of YbtT. YbtT structures at 1.4-1.9 Å resolution possess a serine hydrolase catalytic triad and an associated substrate chamber with features similar to those previously reported for low-specificity type II thioesterases (TEIIs). We found that YbtT interacts with the two major Ybt biosynthetic proteins, HMWP1 (high-molecular-weight protein 1) and HMWP2 (high-molecular-weight protein 2), and hydrolyzes a variety of aromatic and acyl groups from their phosphopantetheinylated carrier protein domains. In vivo YbtT titration in uropathogenic E. coli revealed a distinct optimum for Ybt production consistent with a tradeoff between clearing both stalled inhibitory intermediates and productive Ybt precursors from HMWP1 and HMWP2. These results are consistent with a model in which YbtT maintains cellular Ybt biosynthesis by removing nonproductive, inhibitory thioesters that form aberrantly at multiple sites on HMWP1 and HMWP2.

Trapping biosynthetic acyl-enzyme intermediates with encoded 2,3-diaminopropionic acid

Many enzymes catalyse reactions that proceed through covalent acyl-enzyme (ester or thioester) intermediates¹. These enzymes include serine hydrolases^2,3 (encoded by one per cent of human genes, and including serine proteases and thioesterases), cysteine proteases (including caspases), and many components of the ubiquitination machinery^4,5. Their important acyl-enzyme intermediates are unstable, commonly having half-lives of minutes to hours⁶. In some cases, acyl-enzyme complexes can be stabilized using substrate analogues or active-site mutations but, although these approaches can provide valuable insight^7-10, they often result in complexes that are substantially non-native. Here we develop a strategy for incorporating 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (DAP) into recombinant proteins, via expansion of the genetic code¹¹. We show that replacing catalytic cysteine or serine residues of enzymes with DAP permits their first-step reaction with native substrates, allowing the efficient capture of acyl-enzyme complexes that are linked through a stable amide bond. For one of these enzymes, the thioesterase domain of valinomycin synthetase¹², we elucidate the biosynthetic pathway by which it progressively oligomerizes tetradepsipeptidyl substrates to a dodecadepsipeptidyl intermediate, which it then cyclizes to produce valinomycin. By trapping the first and last acyl-thioesterase intermediates in the catalytic cycle as DAP conjugates, we provide structural insight into how conformational changes in thioesterase domains of such nonribosomal peptide synthetases control the oligomerization and cyclization of linear substrates. The encoding of DAP will facilitate the characterization of diverse acyl-enzyme complexes, and may be extended to capturing the native substrates of transiently acylated proteins of unknown function.

Functional characterization of salt-tolerant microbial esterase WDEst17 and its use in the generation of optically pure ethyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate

The two enantiomers of ethyl 3-hydroxybutyrate are important intermediates for the synthesis of a great variety of valuable chiral drugs. The preparation of chiral drug intermediates through kinetic resolution reactions catalyzed by esterases/lipases has been demonstrated to be an efficient and environmentally friendly method. We previously functionally characterized microbial esterase PHE21 and used PHE21 as a biocatalyst to generate optically pure ethyl (S)-3-hydroxybutyrate. Herein, we also functionally characterized one novel salt-tolerant microbial esterase WDEst17 from the genome of Dactylosporangium aurantiacum subsp. Hamdenensis NRRL 18085. Esterase WDEst17 was further developed as an efficient biocatalyst to generate (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, an important chiral drug intermediate, with the enantiomeric excess being 99% and the conversion rate being 65.05%, respectively, after process optimization. Notably, the enantio-selectivity of esterase WDEst17 was opposite than that of esterase PHE21. The identification of esterases WDEst17 and PHE21 through genome mining of microorganisms provides useful biocatalysts for the preparation of valuable chiral drug intermediates.

Structure and Functional Analysis of ClbQ, an Unusual Intermediate-Releasing Thioesterase from the Colibactin Biosynthetic Pathway

Colibactin is a genotoxic hybrid nonribosomal peptide/polyketide secondary metabolite produced by various pathogenic and probiotic bacteria residing in the human gut. The presence of colibactin metabolites has been correlated to colorectal cancer formation in several studies. The specific function of many gene products in the colibactin gene cluster can be predicted. However, the role of ClbQ, a type II editing thioesterase, has not been established. The importance of ClbQ has been demonstrated by genetic deletions that abolish colibactin cytotoxic activity, and recent studies suggest an atypical role in releasing pathway intermediates from the assembly line. Here we report the 2.0 Å crystal structure and biochemical characterization of ClbQ. Our data reveal that ClbQ exhibits greater catalytic efficiency toward acyl-thioester substrates as compared to precolibactin intermediates and does not discriminate among carrier proteins. Cyclized pyridone-containing colibactins, which are off-pathway derivatives, are not viable substrates for ClbQ, while linear precursors are, supporting a role of ClbQ in facilitating the promiscuous off-loading of premature precolibactin metabolites and novel insights into colibactin biosynthesis.

MarH, a Bifunctional Enzyme Involved in the Condensation and Hydroxylation Steps of the Marineosin Biosynthetic Pathway

A novel bifunctional enzyme, MarH, has been identified, and its key functional role in the marineosin biosynthesis successfully probed. MarH catalyzes (1) a condensation step between 4-methoxy-2,2'-bipyrrole-5-carboxaldehyde (MBC) and 2-undecylpyrrole (UP) to form undecylprodiginine (UPG) and (2) hydroxylation of the alkyl chain of UPG to form the (S)-23-hydroxyundecylprodiginine (HUPG), which is essential for MarG catalyzed bicyclization toward the formation of an unusual spiro-tetrahydropyran-aminal ring of marineosins. The final enigmatic steps in the marineosin biosynthesis have now been deciphered.

Large-Scale Transposition Mutagenesis of Streptomyces coelicolor Identifies Hundreds of Genes Influencing Antibiotic Biosynthesis

Gram-positive Streptomyces bacteria produce thousands of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antibiotics. To systematically investigate genes affecting secondary metabolism, we developed a hyperactive transposase-based Tn5 transposition system and employed it to mutagenize the model species Streptomyces coelicolor, leading to the identification of 51,443 transposition insertions. These insertions were distributed randomly along the chromosome except for some preferred regions associated with relatively low GC content in the chromosomal core. The base composition of the insertion site and its flanking sequences compiled from the 51,443 insertions implied a 19-bp expanded target site surrounding the insertion site, with a slight nucleic acid base preference in some positions, suggesting a relative randomness of Tn5 transposition targeting in the high-GC Streptomyces genome. From the mutagenesis library, 724 mutants involving 365 genes had altered levels of production of the tripyrrole antibiotic undecylprodigiosin (RED), including 17 genes in the RED biosynthetic gene cluster. Genetic complementation revealed that most of the insertions (more than two-thirds) were responsible for the changed antibiotic production. Genes associated with branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, DNA metabolism, and protein modification affected RED production, and genes involved in signaling, stress, and transcriptional regulation were overrepresented. Some insertions caused dramatic changes in RED production, identifying future targets for strain improvement.IMPORTANCE High-GC Gram-positive streptomycetes and related actinomycetes have provided more than 100 clinical drugs used as antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and antitumor drugs. Their genomes harbor biosynthetic genes for many more unknown compounds with potential as future drugs. Here we developed a useful genome-wide mutagenesis tool based on the transposon Tn5 for the study of secondary metabolism and its regulation. Using Streptomyces coelicolor as a model strain, we found that chromosomal insertion was relatively random, except at some hot spots, though there was evidence of a slightly preferred 19-bp target site. We then used prodiginine production as a model to systematically survey genes affecting antibiotic biosynthesis, providing a global view of antibiotic regulation. The analysis revealed 348 genes that modulate antibiotic production, among which more than half act to reduce production. These might be valuable targets in future investigations of regulatory mechanisms, for strain improvement, and for the activation of silent biosynthetic gene clusters.

Role of Wax Ester Synthase/Acyl Coenzyme A:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase in Oleaginous Streptomyces sp. Strain G25

Recently, we isolated a novel Streptomyces strain which can accumulate extraordinarily large amounts of triacylglycerol (TAG) and consists of 64% fatty acids (dry weight) when cultivated with glucose and 50% fatty acids (dry weight) when cultivated with cellobiose. To identify putative gene products responsible for lipid storage and cellobiose utilization, we analyzed its draft genome sequence. A single gene encoding a wax ester synthase/acyl coenzyme A (CoA):diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT) was identified and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli The purified enzyme AtfG25 showed acyltransferase activity with C12- or C16-acyl-CoA, C12 to C18 alcohols, or dipalmitoyl glycerol. This acyltransferase exhibits 24% amino acid identity to the model enzyme AtfA from Acinetobacter baylyi but has high sequence similarities to WS/DGATs from other Streptomyces species. To investigate the impact of AtfG25 on lipid accumulation, the respective gene, atfG25, was inactivated in Streptomyces sp. strain G25. However, cells of the insertion mutant still exhibited DGAT activity and were able to store TAG, albeit in lower quantities and at lower rates than the wild-type strain. These findings clearly indicate that AtfG25 has an important, but not exclusive, role in TAG biosynthesis in the novel Streptomyces isolate and suggest the presence of alternative metabolic pathways for lipid accumulation which are discussed in the present study.

IMPORTANCE

A novel Streptomyces strain was isolated from desert soil, which represents an extreme environment with high temperatures, frequent drought, and nutrient scarcity. We believe that these harsh conditions promoted the development of the capacity for this strain to accumulate extraordinarily large amounts of lipids. In this study, we present the analysis of its draft genome sequence with a special focus on enzymes potentially involved in its lipid storage. Furthermore, the activity and importance of the detected acyltransferase were studied. As discussed in this paper, and in contrast to many other bacteria, streptomycetes seem to possess a complex metabolic network to synthesize lipids, whereof crucial steps are still largely unknown. This paper therefore provides insights into a range of topics, including extremophile bacteria, the physiology of lipid accumulation, and the biotechnological production of bacterial lipids.

Structure, Chemical Synthesis, and Biosynthesis of Prodiginine Natural Products

The prodiginine family of bacterial alkaloids is a diverse set of heterocyclic natural products that have likely been known to man since antiquity. In more recent times, these alkaloids have been discovered to span a wide range of chemical structures that possess a number of interesting biological activities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of research undertaken toward the isolation and structural elucidation of the prodiginine family of natural products. Additionally, research toward chemical synthesis of the prodiginine alkaloids over the last several decades is extensively reviewed. Finally, the current, evidence-based understanding of the various biosynthetic pathways employed by bacteria to produce prodiginine alkaloids is summarized.

Identification and Characterization of FabA from the Type II Fatty Acid Synthase of Streptomyces coelicolor

FabA is proposed to catalyze the dehydration step of chain elongation in fatty acid and undecylprodiginine biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor. Analysis of the S. coelicolor genome has revealed a fabA gene (SCO4636-SCO4637, encoding a heterodimer 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase). Herein, we report the identification and characterization of the corresponding gene products. Kinetic analysis has demonstrated that FabA is capable of utilizing various chain lengths of straight- and branched-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-NAC substrates. Additionally, FabA does not discriminate between acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) from primary and secondary metabolism. These data provide the first experimental evidence that FabA has 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase activity and processes intermediates for both biosynthetic pathways.

Polyketide synthase and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase thioesterase selectivity: logic gate or a victim of fate?

Thioesterases (TEs) are product offloading enzymes from FAS, PKS, and NRPS complexes. We review the diversity, structure, and mechanism of PKS and NRPS TEs and analyze TE loading and release steps as possible logic gates with a view to predicting TE function in new pathways.

Crystal Structure and Substrate Specificity of Human Thioesterase 2: INSIGHTS INTO THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR THE MODULATION OF FATTY ACID SYNTHASE

The type I fatty acid synthase (FASN) is responsible for the de novo synthesis of palmitate. Chain length selection and release is performed by the C-terminal thioesterase domain (TE1). FASN expression is up-regulated in cancer, and its activity levels are controlled by gene dosage and transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. In addition, the chain length of fatty acids produced by FASN is controlled by a type II thioesterase called TE2 (E.C. 3.1.2.14). TE2 has been implicated in breast cancer and generates a broad lipid distribution within milk. The molecular basis for the ability of the TE2 to compete with TE1 for the acyl chain attached to the acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain of FASN is unknown. Herein, we show that human TE1 efficiently hydrolyzes acyl-CoA substrate mimetics. In contrast, TE2 prefers an engineered human acyl-ACP substrate and readily releases short chain fatty acids from full-length FASN during turnover. The 2.8 Å crystal structure of TE2 reveals a novel capping domain insert within the α/β hydrolase core. This domain is reminiscent of capping domains of type II thioesterases involved in polyketide synthesis. The structure also reveals that the capping domain had collapsed onto the active site containing the Ser-101-His-237-Asp-212 catalytic triad. This observation suggests that the capping domain opens to enable the ACP domain to dock and to place the acyl chain and 4'-phosphopantetheinyl-linker arm correctly for catalysis. Thus, the ability of TE2 to prematurely release fatty acids from FASN parallels the role of editing thioesterases involved in polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide synthase synthases.

Functional characterization of different ORFs including luciferase-like monooxygenase genes from the mensacarcin gene cluster

The biologically active compound mensacarcin is produced by Streptomyces bottropensis. The cosmid cos2 contains a large part of the mensacarcin biosynthesis gene cluster. Heterologous expression of this cosmid in Streptomyces albus J1074 led to the production of the intermediate didesmethylmensacarcin (DDMM). In order to gain more insights into the biosynthesis, gene inactivation experiments were carried out by λ-Red/ET-mediated recombination, and the deletion mutants were introduced into the host S. albus. In total, 23 genes were inactivated. Analysis of the metabolic profiles of the mutant strains showed the complete collapse of DDMM biosynthesis, but upon overexpression of the SARP regulatory gene msnR1 in each mutant new intermediates were detected. The compounds were isolated, and their structures were elucidated. Based on the results the specific functions of several enzymes were determined, and a pathway for mensacarcin biosynthesis is proposed.

Assembly line termination in cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis: discovery of an editing type II thioesterase domain in a type I polyketide synthase

Investigation of cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis reveals a C-terminal thioesterase domain involved in PKS assembly line editing, not termination.

The termination step is an important source of structural diversity in polyketide biosynthesis. Most type I polyketide synthase (PKS) assembly lines are terminated by a thioesterase (TE) domain located at the C-terminus of the final module, while other PKS assembly lines lack a terminal TE domain and are instead terminated by a separate enzyme in trans. In cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis, the type I modular PKS assembly line is terminated by a freestanding type III PKS (CylI). Unexpectedly, the final module of the type I PKS (CylH) also possesses a C-terminal TE domain. Unlike typical type I PKSs, the CylH TE domain does not influence assembly line termination by CylI in vitro. Instead, this domain phylogenetically resembles a type II TE and possesses activity consistent with an editing function. This finding may shed light on the evolution of unusual PKS termination logic. In addition, the presence of related type II TE domains in many cryptic type I PKS and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) assembly lines has implications for pathway annotation, product prediction, and engineering.

Roles of type II thioesterases and their application for secondary metabolite yield improvement

A large number of antibiotics and other industrially important microbial secondary metabolites are synthesized by polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). These multienzymatic complexes provide an enormous flexibility in formation of diverse chemical structures from simple substrates, such as carboxylic acids and amino acids. Modular PKSs and NRPSs, often referred to as megasynthases, have brought about a special interest due to the colinearity between enzymatic domains in the proteins working as an “assembly line” and the chain elongation and modification steps. Extensive efforts toward modified compound biosynthesis by changing organization of PKS and NRPS domains in a combinatorial manner laid good grounds for rational design of new structures and their controllable biosynthesis as proposed by the synthetic biology approach. Despite undeniable progress made in this field, the yield of such “unnatural” natural products is often not satisfactory. Here, we focus on type II thioesterases (TEIIs)—discrete hydrolytic enzymes often encoded within PKS and NRPS gene clusters which can be used to enhance product yield. We review diverse roles of TEIIs (removal of aberrant residues blocking the megasynthase, participation in substrate selection, intermediate, and product release) and discuss their application in new biosynthetic systems utilizing PKS and NRPS parts.

Expression, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data analysis of PigI, a putative L-prolyl-AMP ligase from the prodigiosin synthetic pathway in Serratia

Prodigiosin, a member of the prodiginines, is a tripyrrole red pigment synthesized by Serratia and some other microbes. A bifurcated biosynthesis pathway of prodigiosin has been proposed in Serratia in which MBC (4-methoxy-2,2'-bipyrrole-5-carbaldehyde) and MAP (2-methyl-3-N-amyl-pyrrole) are synthesized separately and then condensed by PigC to form prodigiosin. The first step for the synthesis of MBC is the activation of L-proline by PigI, but its catalytic mechanism has remained elusive. To elucidate its mechanism, recombinant PigI was purified and crystallized. Crystals obtained by the sitting-drop method belonged to space group P1 and diffracted to 2.0 Å resolution, with unit-cell parameters a = 51.2, b = 62.8, c = 91.3 Å, α = 105.1, β = 90.1, γ = 92.2°. Matthews coefficient analysis suggested two molecules in the asymmetric unit, with a VM of 2.6 Å(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 52.69%.

Properties and applications of undecylprodigiosin and other bacterial prodigiosins

The growing demand to fulfill the needs of present-day medicine in terms of novel effective molecules has lead to reexamining some of the old and known bacterial secondary metabolites. Bacterial prodigiosins (prodiginines) have a long history of being re markable multipurpose compounds, best examined for their anticancer and antimalarial activities. Production of prodigiosin in the most common producer strain Serratia marcescens has been described in great detail. However, few reports have discussed the ecophysiological roles of these molecules in the producing strains, as well as their antibiotic and UV-protective properties. This review describes recent advances in the production process, biosynthesis, properties, and applications of bacterial prodigiosins. Special emphasis is put on undecylprodigiosin which has generally been a less studied member of the prodigiosin family. In addition, it has been suggested that proteins involved in undecylprodigiosin synthesis, RedG and RedH, could be a useful addition to the biocatalytic toolbox being able to mediate regio- and stereoselective oxidative cyclization. Judging by the number of recent references (216 for the 2007-2013 period), it has become clear that undecylprodigiosin and other bacterial prodigiosins still hold surprises in terms of valuable properties and applicative potential to medical and other industrial fields and that they still deserve continuing research curiosity.

Targeting lipid esterases in mycobacteria grown under different physiological conditions using activity-based profiling with tetrahydrolipstatin (THL)

Tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) is bactericidal but its precise target spectrum is poorly characterized. Here, we used a THL analog and activity-based protein profiling to identify target proteins after enrichment from whole cell lysates of Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin cultured under replicating and non-replicating conditions. THL targets α/β-hydrolases, including many lipid esterases (LipD, G, H, I, M, N, O, V, W, and TesA). Target protein concentrations and total esterase activity correlated inversely with cellular triacylglycerol upon entry into and exit from non-replicating conditions. Cellular overexpression of lipH and tesA led to decreased THL susceptibility thus providing functional validation. Our results define the target spectrum of THL in a biological species with particularly diverse lipid metabolic pathways. We furthermore derive a conceptual approach that demonstrates the use of such THL probes for the characterization of substrate recognition by lipases and related enzymes.

Exploitation of the Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) genome sequence for discovery of new natural products and biosynthetic pathways

Streptomyces, and related genera of Actinobacteria, are renowned for their ability to produce antibiotics and other bioactive natural products with a wide range of applications in medicine and agriculture. Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is a model organism that has been used for more than five decades to study the genetic and biochemical basis for the production of bioactive metabolites. In 2002, the complete genome sequence of S. coelicolor was published. This greatly accelerated progress in understanding the biosynthesis of metabolites known or suspected to be produced by S. coelicolor and revealed that streptomycetes have far greater potential to produce bioactive natural products than suggested by classical bioassay-guided isolation studies. In this article, efforts to exploit the S. coelicolor genome sequence for the discovery of novel natural products and biosynthetic pathways are summarized.

Insights from the sea: structural biology of marine polyketide synthases

The world's oceans are a rich source of natural products with extremely interesting chemistry. Biosynthetic pathways have been worked out for a few, and the story is being enriched with crystal structures of interesting pathway enzymes. By far, the greatest number of structural insights from marine biosynthetic pathways has originated with studies of curacin A, a poster child for interesting marine chemistry with its cyclopropane and thiazoline rings, internal cis double bond, and terminal alkene. Using the curacin A pathway as a model, structural details are now available for a novel loading enzyme with remarkable dual decarboxylase and acetyltransferase activities, an Fe(2+)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent halogenase that dictates substrate binding order through conformational changes, a decarboxylase that establishes regiochemistry for cyclopropane formation, and a thioesterase with specificity for β-sulfated substrates that lead to terminal alkene offloading. The four curacin A pathway dehydratases reveal an intrinsic flexibility that may accommodate bulky or stiff polyketide intermediates. In the salinosporamide A pathway, active site volume determines the halide specificity of a halogenase that catalyzes for the synthesis of a halogenated building block. Structures of a number of putative polyketide cyclases may help in understanding reaction mechanisms and substrate specificities although their substrates are presently unknown.

Streptomyces coelicolor RedP and FabH enzymes, initiating undecylprodiginine and fatty acid biosynthesis, exhibit distinct acyl-CoA and malonyl-acyl carrier protein substrate specificities

RedP is proposed to initiate undecylprodiginine biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor by condensing an acyl-CoA with malonyl-ACP and is homologous to FabH that catalyzes the same reaction for initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis. Herein, we report the substrate specificities of RedP and FabH from assays using pairings of two acyl-CoA substrates (acetyl-CoA and isobutyryl-CoA) and two malonyl-ACP substrates (malonyl-RedQ and malonyl-FabC). RedP activity was observed only with a pairing of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-RedQ, consistent with its proposed role in initiating the formation of acetyl-CoA-derived prodiginines. Malonyl-FabC is not a substrate for RedP, indicating that ACP specificity is one of the factors that permit a separation between prodiginine and fatty acid biosynthetic processes. FabH demonstrated greater catalytic efficiency for isobutyryl-CoA in comparison with acetyl-CoA using malonyl-FabC, consistent with the observation that in streptomycetes, a broad mixture of fatty acids is synthesized, with those derived from branched-chain acyl-CoA starter units predominating. Diminished FabH activity was also observed using malonyl-RedQ with the same preference for isobutyryl-CoA, completing biochemical and genetic evidence that in the absence of RedP this enzyme can produce branched-chain alkyl prodiginines.

Oxidative tailoring reactions catalyzed by nonheme iron-dependent enzymes: streptorubin B biosynthesis as an example

Tailoring enzymes catalyze reactions that modify natural product backbone structures before, during, or after their biosynthesis to create a final product with specific biological activities. Such reactions can be catalyzed by a myriad of different enzyme families and are responsible for a wide variety of transformations including regio- and/or stereospecific acylation, alkylation, glycosylation, halogenation, and oxidation. Within a broad group of oxidative tailoring enzymes, there is a rapidly growing family of nonheme iron- and oxygen-dependent enzymes that catalyze a variety of remarkable hydroxylation, desaturation, halogenation, and oxidative cyclization reaction in the biosynthesis of several important metabolites, including carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, clavams, prodiginines, fosfomycin, syringomycin, and coronatine. In this chapter, we report an expedient method for analyzing tailoring enzymes that catalyze oxidative cyclization reactions in prodiginine biosynthesis via expression of the corresponding genes in a heterologous host, feeding of putative biosynthetic intermediates to the resulting strains, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the metabolites produced.