Natural product biosyntheses in cyanobacteria: A treasure trove of unique enzymes

• Jan-Christoph Kehr,
• Douglas Gatte Picchi and
• Elke Dittmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2011, 7, 1622–1635, doi:10.3762/bjoc.7.191

• nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) pathways and highlight the unique enzyme mechanisms that were elucidated or can be anticipated for the individual products. We further include ribosomal natural products and UV-absorbing pigments from cyanobacteria. Mechanistic insights

• obtained from the biochemical studies of cyanobacterial pathways can inspire the development of concepts for the design of bioactive compounds by synthetic-biology approaches in the future. Keywords: cyanobacteria; natural products; NRPS; PKS; ribosomal peptides; Introduction The role of cyanobacteria in

• combined with transport across the plasma membrane [12] (Figure 2). Macrolides in microorganisms are produced by modular type polyketide synthases (PKS) resembling NRPS with respect to their modular nature. In contrast to the peptide-synthesizing enzymes, different types of carboxylic acids are activated