Work

Evolution of polyketide synthases in bacteria

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: The emergence of resistant strains of human pathogens to current antibiotics, along with the demonstrated ability of polyketides as antimicrobial agents, provides strong motivation for understanding how polyketide antibiotics have evolved and diversified in nature. Insights into how bacterial polyketide synthases (PKSs) acquire new metabolic capabilities can guide future laboratory efforts in generating the next generation of polyketide antibiotics. Here, we examine phylogenetic and structural evidence to glean answers to two general questions regarding PKS evolution. How did the exceptionally diverse chemistry of present-day PKSs evolve? And what are the take-home messages for the biosynthetic engineer?

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0710107105

Authors: Christian P. Ridley, Ho Young Lee, Chaitan Khosla

Institutions: Stanford University, Cornell University

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis

Subfield: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute

Awards: Engineered Biosynthesis of Novel Macrolactone Polyketide, Bacterial Aromatic Polyketide Synthases