The biosynthesis of glycopeptide antibiotics--a model for complex, non-ribosomally synthesized, peptidic secondary metabolites

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2004 Jan;63(4):344-50. doi: 10.1007/s00253-003-1443-z. Epub 2003 Oct 15.

Abstract

Glycopeptide antibiotics are a class of widely known natural compounds produced by Actinomycetes. Vancomycin, the first member of the glycopeptide family to be discovered, was described in 1955 and used as an antibiotic soon thereafter. During the past 50 years numerous contributions on the structure, mode of action, and therapeutic features of vancomycin have been published. Recently, there has been considerable progress in elucidating the biosynthesis of glycopeptide antibiotics by combining molecular biology and analytical chemistry methods. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding biosynthetic glycopeptide assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / genetics*
  • Actinobacteria / metabolism*
  • Amino Acids, Aromatic / biosynthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Peptide Synthases / genetics
  • Peptide Synthases / metabolism
  • Teicoplanin / biosynthesis
  • Teicoplanin / chemistry
  • Vancomycin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vancomycin / biosynthesis
  • Vancomycin / chemistry

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • chloroeremomycin
  • balhimycin
  • Teicoplanin
  • Vancomycin
  • Peptide Synthases