A Flavoprotein Dioxygenase Steers Bacterial Tropone Biosynthesis via Coenzyme A-Ester Oxygenolysis and Ring Epoxidation.

Bacterial tropone natural products such as tropolone, tropodithietic acid, or the roseobacticides play crucial roles in various terrestrial and marine symbiotic interactions as virulence factors, antibiotics, algaecides, or quorum sensing signals. We now show that their poorly understood biosynthesis depends on a shunt product from aerobic CoA-dependent phenylacetic acid catabolism that is salvaged by the dedicated acyl-CoA dehydrogenase-like flavoenzyme TdaE. Further characterization of TdaE revealed an unanticipated complex catalysis, comprising substrate dehydrogenation, noncanonical CoA-ester oxygenolysis, and final ring epoxidation. The enzyme thereby functions as an archetypal flavoprotein dioxygenase that incorporates both oxygen atoms from O2 into the substrate, most likely involving flavin-N5-peroxide and flavin-N5-oxide species for consecutive CoA-ester cleavage and epoxidation, respectively. The subsequent spontaneous decarboxylation of the reactive enzyme product yields tropolone, which serves as a key virulence factor in rice panicle blight caused by pathogenic edaphic Burkholderia plantarii. Alternatively, the TdaE product is most likely converted to more complex sulfur-containing secondary metabolites such as tropodithietic acid from predominant marine Rhodobacteraceae (e.g., Phaeobacter inhibens).

Volatiles from three genome sequenced fungi from the genus Aspergillus.

The volatiles emitted by agar plate cultures of three genome sequenced fungal strains from the genus Aspergillus were analysed by GC-MS. All three strains produced terpenes for which a biosynthetic relationship is discussed. The obtained data were also correlated to genetic information about the encoded terpene synthases for each strain. Besides terpenes, a series of aromatic compounds and volatiles derived from fatty acid and branched amino acid metabolism were identified. Some of these compounds have not been described as fungal metabolites before. For the compound ethyl (E)-hept-4-enoate known from cantaloupe a structural revision to the Z stereoisomer is proposed. Ethyl (Z)-hept-4-enoate also occurs in Aspergillus clavatus and was identified by synthesis of an authentic standard.

Characterization of 2-Oxindole Forming Heme Enzyme MarE, Expanding the Functional Diversity of the Tryptophan Dioxygenase Superfamily.

3-Substituted 2-oxindoles are important structural motifs found in many biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical lead compounds. Here, we report an enzymatic formation of the 3-substituted 2-oxindoles catalyzed by MarE in the maremycin biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces sp. B9173. MarE is a homologue of FeII/heme-dependent tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenases (TDOs). Typical TDOs usually catalyze the insertion of two oxygen atoms from O2 into an indole ring to generate N-formylkynurenine (NFK)-like products. In contrast, MarE catalyzes the insertion of a single oxygen atom from O2 into an indole ring, to probably generate an epoxyindole intermediate that undergoes an unprecedented 2,3-hydride migration to form 2-oxindole structure. MarE shows substrate robustness to catalyze the conversion of a series of 3-substituted indoles into their corresponding 3-substituted 2-oxindoles. Although containing most key amino acid residues conserved in well-known TDO homologues, MarE falls into a separate new subgroup in the phylogenetic tree. The characterization of MarE and its homologue enriches the functional diversities of TDO superfamily and provides a new strategy for discovering novel natural products containing 3-substituted 2-oxindole pharmacophores by genome mining.

Chemical differentiation of three DMSP lyases from the marine Roseobacter group.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) catabolism of marine bacteria plays an important role in marine and global ecology. The genome of Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3, a model organism from the Roseobacter group, harbours no less than three genes for different DMSP lyases (DddW, DddP and DddQ) that catalyse the degradation of DMSP to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylate. Despite their apparent similar function these enzymes show no significant overall sequence identity. In this work DddQ and DddW from R. pomeroyi and the DddP homolog from Phaeobacter inhibens DSM 17395 were functionally characterised and their substrate scope was tested using several synthetic DMSP analogues. Comparative kinetic assays revealed differences in the conversion of DMSP and its analogues in terms of selectivity and overall velocity, giving additional insights into the molecular mechanisms of DMSP lyases and into their putatively different biological functions.

Gibepyrone Biosynthesis in the Rice Pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi Is Facilitated by a Small Polyketide Synthase Gene Cluster.

The 2H-pyran-2-one gibepyrone A and its oxidized derivatives gibepyrones B-F have been isolated from the rice pathogenic fungus Fusarium fujikuroi already more than 20 years ago. However, these products have not been linked to the respective biosynthetic genes, and therefore, their biosynthesis has not yet been analyzed on a molecular level. Feeding experiments with isotopically labeled precursors clearly supported a polyketide origin for the formal monoterpenoid gibepyrone A, whereas the terpenoid pathway could be excluded. Targeted gene deletion verified that the F. fujikuroi polyketide synthase PKS13, designated Gpy1, is responsible for gibepyrone A biosynthesis. Next to Gpy1, the ATP-binding cassette transporter Gpy2 is encoded by the gibepyrone gene cluster. Gpy2 was shown to have only a minor impact on the actual efflux of gibepyrone A out of the cell. Instead, we obtained evidence that Gpy2 is involved in gene regulation as it represses GPY1 gene expression. Thus, GPY1 was up-regulated and gibepyrone A production was enhanced both extra- and intracellularly in Δgpy2 mutants. Furthermore, expression of GPY genes is strictly repressed by members of the fungus-specific velvet complex, Vel1, Vel2, and Lae1, whereas Sge1, a major regulator of secondary metabolism in F. fujikuroi, affects gibepyrone biosynthesis in a positive manner. The gibepyrone A derivatives gibepyrones B and D were shown to be produced by cluster-independent P450 monooxygenases, probably to protect the fungus from the toxic product. In contrast, the formation of gibepyrones E and F from gibepyrone A is a spontaneous process and independent of enzymatic activity.

Functional Characterization of PyrG, an Unusual Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Module from the Pyridomycin Biosynthetic Pathway.

Pyridomycin is an antimycobacterial cyclodepsipeptide assembled by a nonribosomal peptide synthetase/polyketide synthase hybrid system. Analysis of its cluster revealed a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) module, PyrG, that contains two tandem adenylation domains and a PKS-type ketoreductase domain. In this study, we biochemically validated that the second A domain recognizes and activates α-keto-ß-methylvaleric acid (2-KVC) as the native substrate; the first A domain was not functional but might play a structural role. The KR domain catalyzed the reduction of the 2-KVC tethered to the peptidyl carrier protein of PyrG in the presence of the MbtH family protein, PyrH. PyrG was demonstrated to recognize many amino acids. This substrate promiscuity provides the potential to generate pyridomycin analogues with various enolic acids moiety; this is important for binding InhA, a critical enzyme for cell-wall biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Identification of (2S,3S)-ß-Methyltryptophan as the Real Biosynthetic Intermediate of Antitumor Agent Streptonigrin.

Streptonigrin is a potent antitumor antibiotic, active against a wide range of mammalian tumor cells. It was reported that its biosynthesis relies on (2S,3R)-ß-methyltryptophan as an intermediate. In this study, the biosynthesis of (2S,3R)-ß-methyltryptophan and its isomer (2S,3S)-ß-methyltryptophan by enzymes from the streptonigrin biosynthetic pathway is demonstrated. StnR is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent aminotransferase that catalyzes a transamination between L-tryptophan and ß-methyl indolepyruvate. StnQ1 is an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent C-methyltransferase and catalyzes ß-methylation of indolepyruvate to generate (R)-ß-methyl indolepyruvate. Although StnR exhibited a significant preference for (S)-ß-methyl indolepyruvate over the (R)-epimer, StnQ1 and StnR together catalyze (2S,3R)-ß-methyltryptophan formation from L-tryptophan. StnK3 is a cupin superfamily protein responsible for conversion of (R)-ß-methyl indolepyruvate to its (S)-epimer and enables (2S,3S)-ß-methyltryptophan biosynthesis from L-tryptophan when combined with StnQ1 and StnR. Most importantly, (2S,3S)-ß-methyltryptophan was established as the biosynthetic intermediate of the streptonigrin pathway by feeding experiments with a knockout mutant, contradicting the previous proposal that stated (2S,3R)-ß-methyltryptophan as the intermediate. These data set the stage for the complete elucidation of the streptonigrin biosynthetic pathway, which would unlock the potential of creating new streptonigrin analogues by genetic manipulation of the biosynthetic machinery.

Hybrubins: Bipyrrole Tetramic Acids Obtained by Crosstalk between a Truncated Undecylprodigiosin Pathway and Heterologous Tetramic Acid Biosynthetic Genes.

Heterologous expression of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones from the genomic library of Streptomyces variabilis Snt24 in Streptomyces lividans SBT5 which carried a truncated undecylprodigiosin biosynthetic gene cluster led to the identification of hybrubins A-C. The hybrubins represent a new carbon skeleton in which a tetramic acid moiety is fused to a 2,2'-dipyrrole building block. Gene knockout experiments confirmed that hybrubins are derived from two convergent biosynthetic pathways including the remaining genomic red genes of S. lividans SBT5 as well as the BAC encoded hbn genes for the production of 5-ethylidenetetramic acid. A possible biosynthetic pathway was also proposed.

Comparative "Omics" of the Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex Highlights Differences in Genetic Potential and Metabolite Synthesis.

Species of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFC) cause a wide spectrum of often devastating diseases on diverse agricultural crops, including coffee, fig, mango, maize, rice, and sugarcane. Although species within the FFC are difficult to distinguish by morphology, and their genes often share 90% sequence similarity, they can differ in host plant specificity and life style. FFC species can also produce structurally diverse secondary metabolites (SMs), including the mycotoxins fumonisins, fusarins, fusaric acid, and beauvericin, and the phytohormones gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins. The spectrum of SMs produced can differ among closely related species, suggesting that SMs might be determinants of host specificity. To date, genomes of only a limited number of FFC species have been sequenced. Here, we provide draft genome sequences of three more members of the FFC: a single isolate of F. mangiferae, the cause of mango malformation, and two isolates of F. proliferatum, one a pathogen of maize and the other an orchid endophyte. We compared these genomes to publicly available genome sequences of three other FFC species. The comparisons revealed species-specific and isolate-specific differences in the composition and expression (in vitro and in planta) of genes involved in SM production including those for phytohormome biosynthesis. Such differences have the potential to impact host specificity and, as in the case of F. proliferatum, the pathogenic versus endophytic life style.

Abiotic stress protection by ecologically abundant dimethylsulfoniopropionate and its natural and synthetic derivatives: insights from Bacillus subtilis.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an abundant osmolyte and anti-stress compound produced primarily in marine ecosystems. After its release into the environment, microorganisms can exploit DMSP as a source of sulfur and carbon, or accumulate it as an osmoprotectant. However, import systems for this ecophysiologically important compatible solute, and its stress-protective properties for microorganisms that do not produce it are insufficiently understood. Here we address these questions using a well-characterized set of Bacillus subtilis mutants to chemically profile the influence of DMSP import on stress resistance, the osmostress-adaptive proline pool and on osmotically controlled gene expression. We included in this study the naturally occurring selenium analogue of DMSP, dimethylseleniopropionate (DMSeP), as well as a set of synthetic DMSP derivatives. We found that DMSP is not a nutrient for B. subtilis, but it serves as an excellent stress protectant against challenges conferred by sustained high salinity or lasting extremes in both low and high growth temperatures. DMSeP and synthetic DMSP derivatives retain part of these stress protective attributes, but DMSP is clearly the more effective stress protectant. We identified the promiscuous and widely distributed ABC transporter OpuC as a high-affinity uptake system not only for DMSP, but also for its natural and synthetic derivatives.

Synthesis and bioactivity of analogues of the marine antibiotic tropodithietic acid.

Tropodithietic acid (TDA) is a structurally unique sulfur-containing antibiotic from the Roseobacter clade bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens DSM 17395 and a few other related species. We have synthesised several structural analogues of TDA and used them in bioactivity tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio anguillarum for a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, revealing that the sulfur-free analogue of TDA, tropone-2-carboxylic acid, has an antibiotic activity that is even stronger than the bioactivity of the natural product. The synthesis of this compound and of several analogues is presented and the bioactivity of the synthetic compounds is discussed.

Marine bacteria from the Roseobacter clade produce sulfur volatiles via amino acid and dimethylsulfoniopropionate catabolism.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a versatile sulfur source for the production of sulfur-containing secondary metabolites by marine bacteria from the Roseobacter clade. (34)S-labelled DMSP and cysteine, and several DMSP derivatives with modified S-alkyl groups were synthesised and used in feeding experiments that gave insights into the biosynthesis of sulfur volatiles from these bacteria.

Biosynthesis of the antibiotic tropodithietic acid by the marine bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens.

The biosynthesis of tropodithietic acid was investigated using a combinatorial approach of feeding experiments, gene knockouts and bioinformatic analyses. The mechanism of sulfur introduction is distinct from known mechanisms in holomycin, thiomarinol A and gliotoxin biosynthesis.

Hymenosetin, a 3-decalinoyltetramic acid antibiotic from cultures of the ash dieback pathogen, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus.

A 3-decalinoyltetramic acid, for which the trivial name hymenosetin is proposed, was isolated from crude extracts of a virulent strain of the ash dieback pathogen, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus (="Chalara fraxinea"). This compound was produced only under certain culture conditions in submerged cultures of the fungus. Its planar structure was determined by NMR spectroscopy and by mass spectrometry. The absolute stereochemistry was assigned by CD spectroscopy and HETLOC data. Hymenosetin exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities (including strong inhibition of MRSA), as well as moderate cytotoxic effects. So far, the metabolite proved inactive in assays for evaluation of phytotoxicity, whereas viridiol, another secondary metabolite known from H. pseudoalbidus, was regarded as phytotoxic principle of the pathogen against its host, Fraxinus excelsior. Further studies will show whether hymenosetin constitutes a defence metabolite that is produced by the pathogenic fungus to combat other microbes and fungi in the natural environment.

Labelling studies on the biosynthesis of terpenes in Fusarium fujikuroi.

Synthetic [2-(13)C]mevalonolactone was fed to the gibberellin producer Fusarium fujikuroi and its incorporation into four known terpenoids was investigated by (13)C NMR analysis of crude culture extracts. The experiments gave detailed insights into the mechanisms of terpene biosynthesis by this fungus.

Isotopically labeled sulfur compounds and synthetic selenium and tellurium analogues to study sulfur metabolism in marine bacteria.

Members of the marine Roseobacter clade can degrade dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) via competing pathways releasing either methanethiol (MeSH) or dimethyl sulfide (DMS). Deuterium-labeled [(2)H6]DMSP and the synthetic DMSP analogue dimethyltelluriopropionate (DMTeP) were used in feeding experiments with the Roseobacter clade members Phaeobacter gallaeciensis DSM 17395 and Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3, and their volatile metabolites were analyzed by closed-loop stripping and solid-phase microextraction coupled to GC-MS. Feeding experiments with [(2)H6]DMSP resulted in the incorporation of a deuterium label into MeSH and DMS. Knockout of relevant genes from the known DMSP demethylation pathway to MeSH showed in both species a residual production of [(2)H3]MeSH, suggesting that a second demethylation pathway is active. The role of DMSP degradation pathways for MeSH and DMS formation was further investigated by using the synthetic analogue DMTeP as a probe in feeding experiments with the wild-type strain and knockout mutants. Feeding of DMTeP to the R. pomeroyi knockout mutant resulted in a diminished, but not abolished production of demethylation pathway products. These results further corroborated the proposed second demethylation activity in R. pomeroyi. Isotopically labeled [(2)H3]methionine and (34)SO4 (2-), synthesized from elemental (34)S8, were tested to identify alternative sulfur sources besides DMSP for the MeSH production in P. gallaeciensis. Methionine proved to be a viable sulfur source for the MeSH volatiles, whereas incorporation of labeling from sulfate was not observed. Moreover, the utilization of selenite and selenate salts by marine alphaproteobacteria for the production of methylated selenium volatiles was explored and resulted in the production of numerous methaneselenol-derived volatiles via reduction and methylation. The pathway of selenate/selenite reduction, however, proved to be strictly separated from sulfate reduction.

PR toxin biosynthesis in Penicillium roqueforti.

Complex bouquet: A recently developed method for trace analyses combining the advantages of GC-MS and (13) C NMR spectroscopy was applied to investigate the volatiles of Penicillium roqueforti. Besides the main compound, aristolochene, several side products of aristolochene synthase and downstream oxidation products en route to PR toxin were identified, giving insight into the biosynthetic pathway.

Nucleobase protection strategy for gene cloning and expression.

Protecting group chemistry meets molecular biology: Chemically modified dATP carrying a bulky triethylsilylethynyl group was used in a PCR-based synthesis of a gene internally protected against cleavage by restriction endonucleases. The unmodified flanking regions were cleaved for cloning into a plasmid which was replicated by E. coli, and used for protein production.

Genetic dissection of sesquiterpene biosynthesis by Fusarium fujikuroi.

A treasure trove of terpenes: The products of two fungal sesquiterpene synthases from the rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi were identified by gene-knockout experiments, genetic engineering of the fungus for production optimization, isolation of the sesquiterpenes, and structure elucidation by spectroscopic methods.