β-Lactone Synthetase Found in the Olefin Biosynthesis Pathway

Biochemistry. 2017 Jan 17;56(2):348-351. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01199. Epub 2017 Jan 3.

Abstract

The first β-lactone synthetase enzyme is reported, creating an unexpected link between the biosynthesis of olefinic hydrocarbons and highly functionalized natural products. The enzyme OleC, involved in the microbial biosynthesis of long-chain olefinic hydrocarbons, reacts with syn- and anti-β-hydroxy acid substrates to yield cis- and trans-β-lactones, respectively. Protein sequence comparisons reveal that enzymes homologous to OleC are encoded in natural product gene clusters that generate β-lactone rings, suggesting a common mechanism of biosynthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biological Products / metabolism
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / genetics*
  • Coenzyme A Ligases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Hydroxy Acids
  • Lactones / metabolism*
  • Micrococcus luteus / enzymology
  • Micrococcus luteus / genetics*
  • Multigene Family
  • Operon
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / enzymology
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / genetics*
  • Streptomyces / enzymology
  • Streptomyces / genetics*

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Biological Products
  • Hydroxy Acids
  • Lactones
  • Coenzyme A Ligases