Bicyclostreptins are radical SAM enzyme-modified peptides with unique cyclization motifs.

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.

Journal
Nat Chem Biol
Volume
18
Issue
10
Pages
1135-1143
Date Published
2022 Oct
ISSN Number
1552-4469
Alternate Journal
Nat Chem Biol
PMCID
6686864
PMID
35953547