Characterization of the sugar-O-methyltransferase LobS1 in lobophorin biosynthesis

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2013 Oct;97(20):9043-53. doi: 10.1007/s00253-013-5083-7. Epub 2013 Jul 20.

Abstract

Lobophorins A (1) and B (2) belong to a large group of spirotetronate natural products with potent antibacterial and antitumor activities. The cloning of the lobophorin biosynthesis gene cluster from the deep-sea-derived Streptomyces sp. SCSIO 01127 identified a sugar-O-methyltransferase-encoding gene lobS1. The lobS1 inactivation mutant accumulated two new lobophorin analogs 3 and 4, different from 1 and 2 by lacking the 4-methyl group at the terminal L-digitoxose, respectively. Biochemical experiments verified that LobS1 was a SAM-dependent sugar-O-methyltransferase that required divalent metal ions for better activity. Antibacterial assays revealed compounds 3 and 4 were generally less potent than compounds 1 and 2. These findings suggest that the methylation on the terminal digitoxose by LobS1 tailors lobophorin biosynthesis and highlights the importance of this methylation for antibacterial potence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Macrolides / chemistry
  • Macrolides / metabolism*
  • Methyltransferases / chemistry
  • Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Seawater / microbiology
  • Streptomyces / enzymology*
  • Streptomyces / genetics
  • Streptomyces / isolation & purification
  • Streptomyces / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Macrolides
  • lobophorin A
  • lobophorin B
  • Methyltransferases