Bicyclostreptins are radical SAM enzyme-modified peptides with unique cyclization motifs. Author Leah Bushin, Brett Covington, Kenzie Clark, Alessio Caruso, Mohammad Seyedsayamdost Publication Year 2022 Type Journal Article Abstract Microbial natural products comprise diverse architectures that are generated by equally diverse biosynthetic strategies. In peptide natural products, amino acid sidechains are frequently used as sites of modification to generate macrocyclic motifs. Backbone amide groups, among the most stable of biological moieties, are rarely used for this purpose. Here we report the discovery and biosynthesis of bicyclostreptins-peptide natural products from Streptococcus spp. with an unprecedented structural motif consisting of a macrocyclic β-ether and a heterocyclic sp-sp linkage between a backbone amide nitrogen and an adjacent α-carbon. Both reactions are installed, in that order, by two radical S-adenosylmethionine (RaS) metalloenzymes. Bicyclostreptins are produced at nM concentrations and are potent growth regulation agents in Streptococcus thermophilus. Our results add a distinct and unusual chemotype to the growing family of ribosomal peptide natural products, expand the already impressive catalytic scope of RaS enzymes, and provide avenues for further biological studies in human-associated streptococci. Keywords Amides, Bacterial Proteins, Humans, S-Adenosylmethionine, Biological Products, Peptides, Carbon, Metalloproteins, Cyclization, Streptococcus, Nitrogen, Ethers Journal Nat Chem Biol Volume 18 Issue 10 Pages 1135-1143 Date Published 2022 Oct ISSN Number 1552-4469 DOI 10.1038/s41589-022-01090-8 Alternate Journal Nat Chem Biol PMCID 6686864 PMID 35953547 PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML