Biosynthesis-guided discovery reveals enteropeptins as alternative sactipeptides containing N-methylornithine. Author Kenzie Clark, Brett Covington, Mohammad Seyedsayamdost Publication Year 2022 Type Journal Article Abstract The combination of next-generation DNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has revitalized natural product discovery. Using a bioinformatic search strategy, we recently identified ∼600 gene clusters in otherwise overlooked streptococci that code for ribosomal peptide natural products synthesized by radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes. These grouped into 16 subfamilies and pointed to an unexplored microbiome biosynthetic landscape. Here we report the structure, biosynthesis and function of one of these natural product groups, which we term enteropeptins, from the gut microbe Enterococcus cecorum. We show three reactions in the biosynthesis of enteropeptins that are each catalysed by a different family of metalloenzymes. Among these, we characterize the founding member of a widespread superfamily of Fe-S-containing methyltransferases, which, together with an Mn-dependent arginase, installs N-methylornithine in the peptide sequence. Biological assays with the mature product revealed bacteriostatic activity only against the producing strain, extending an emerging theme of fratricidal or self-inhibitory metabolites in microbiome firmicutes. Keywords Bacterial Proteins, S-Adenosylmethionine, Amino Acid Sequence, Multigene Family, Biological Products, Peptides Journal Nat Chem Volume 14 Issue 12 Pages 1390-1398 Date Published 2022 Dec ISSN Number 1755-4349 DOI 10.1038/s41557-022-01063-3 Alternate Journal Nat Chem PMID 36316408 PubMedGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML