Flavin-linked oxidase catalyzes pyrrolizine formation of dichloropyrrole-containing polyketide extender unit in chlorizidine A

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Dec 4;135(48):18032-5. doi: 10.1021/ja409520v. Epub 2013 Nov 21.

Abstract

The marine alkaloid chlorizidine A contains chlorinated pyrroloisoindolone and pyrrolizine rings that are rare chemical features in bacterial natural products. Herein, we report the biosynthetic logic of their construction in Streptomyces sp. CNH-287 based on the identification of the chlorizidine A biosynthetic gene cluster. Using whole pathway heterologous expression and genetic manipulations, we show that chlorizidine A is assembled by a polyketide synthase that uniquely incorporates a fatty acid synthase-derived dichloropyrrolyl extender unit into the pyrroloisoindolone enzymatic product. We further provide the first biochemical characterization of a flavoenzyme associated with the oxidative formation of chlorizidine A's distinctive pyrrolizine ring. This work illuminates new enzymatic assembly line processes leading to rare nitrogen-containing rings in nature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Flavins / genetics
  • Flavins / metabolism*
  • Indole Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Indole Alkaloids / metabolism*
  • Multigene Family
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Polyketide Synthases / genetics
  • Polyketide Synthases / metabolism
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / metabolism*
  • Streptomyces / enzymology*
  • Streptomyces / genetics
  • Streptomyces / metabolism

Substances

  • Flavins
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Pyrroles
  • chlorizidine
  • Polyketide Synthases
  • Oxidoreductases