Biosynthesis of sulfated glycopeptide antibiotics by using the sulfotransferase StaL

Chem Biol. 2006 Feb;13(2):171-81. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2005.12.003.

Abstract

The unique glycopeptide antibiotic A47934, produced by Streptomyces toyocaensis, possesses a nonglycosylated heptapeptide core that is sulfated on the phenolic hydroxyl of the N-terminal 4-hydroxy-L-phenylglycine residue. Genetic and biochemical experiments confirmed that StaL is a sulfotransferase capable of sulfating the predicted crosslinked heptapeptide substrate to produce A47934 both in vivo and in vitro. Incubation of purified His(6)-StaL with various substrates in vitro revealed substrate specificity and yielded two sulfo-glycopeptide antibiotics: sulfo-teicoplanin aglycone and sulfo-teicoplanin. Quantification of the antibacterial activity of desulfo-A47934, A47934, teicoplanin, and sulfo-teicoplanin demonstrated that sulfation slightly increased the minimum inhibitory concentration. This unique modification by sulfation expands glycopeptide diversity with potential application for the development of new antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • DNA Primers
  • Glycopeptides / chemistry*
  • Streptomyces / enzymology
  • Streptomyces / metabolism
  • Sulfates / chemistry*
  • Sulfotransferases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA Primers
  • Glycopeptides
  • Sulfates
  • Sulfotransferases