Biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptide toxins in cyanobacteria: A functional characterisation of microcystin synthetase

蓝藻中非核糖体肽毒素的生物合成：微囊藻毒素合成酶的功能特征。微囊藻毒素是由蓝藻产生的强效毒素和肿瘤促进剂，与蓝绿藻华有关。这种非核糖体肽是由微囊藻毒素合成酶产生的，微囊藻毒素合成酶是一种独特的酶复合物，由肽合成酶、聚酮合成酶和整合的辅助酶组成。我们已经确定并鉴定了编码这种酶的广泛基因簇。该项目描述了微囊藻毒素合成酶中特定酶活性的生化特征，以及它们如何决定多种形式的微囊藻毒素的最终结构和毒性。该酶复合物与其底物氨基酸之间的相互作用将为该酶及其类似天然产物的基因工程提供信息。

Biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptide toxins in cyanobacteria: A functional characterisation of microcystin synthetase. Microcystins are potent toxins and tumour promoters produced by cyanobacteria associated with blue-green algal blooms. This non-ribosomal peptide is produced by microcystin synthetase, a unique enzyme complex comprised of peptide synthetases, polyketide synthases, and integrated accessory enzymes. We have identified and characterised the extensive gene cluster encoding this enzyme. This project describes the biochemical characterisation of specific enzyme activities within microcystin synthetase and how they determine the final structure and toxicity of the many forms of microcystin. Interactions between this enzyme complex and its substrate amino acids will provide information for the genetic engineering of this and similar natural products.