Discovery and Characterization of a Myxobacterial Lanthipeptide with Unique Biosynthetic Features and Anti-inflammatory Activity

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Aug 2;145(30):16924-16937. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c06014. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

Abstract

The genomes of myxobacteria harbor a variety of biosynthetic gene clusters encoding numerous secondary metabolites, including ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) with diverse chemical structures and biological activities. However, the biosynthetic potential of RiPPs from myxobacteria remains barely explored. Herein, we report a novel myxobacteria lanthipeptide myxococin identified from Myxococcus fulvus. Myxococins represent the first example of lanthipeptides, of which the characteristic multiple thioether rings are installed by employing a Class II lanthipeptide synthetase MfuM and a Class I lanthipeptide cyclase MfuC in a cascaded way. Unprecedentedly, we biochemically characterized the first M61 family aminopeptidase MfuP involved in RiPP biosynthesis, demonstrating that MfuP showed the activity of an endopeptidase activity. MfuP is leader-independent but strictly selective for the multibridge structure of myxococin A and responsible for unwrapping two rings via amide bond hydrolysis, yielding myxococin B. Furthermore, the X-ray crystal structure of MfuP and structural analysis, including active-site mutations, are reported. Finally, myxococins are evaluated to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages without detectable cytotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Myxococcales*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Substances

  • Peptides