Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shu-Ting Zhang, Tao Li, Shi-Kai Deng, Jim C. Spain, Ning-Yi Zhou
Summary: This study reveals a novel bacterial metabolic pathway for the degradation of 4-nitroanisole, initiated by a three-component cytochrome P450 system (pnaABC). This system exhibits broad substrate specificity and can catalyze the degradation of nitroanisole derivatives.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pakjira Nanudorn, Sirinthra Thiengmag, Friederike Biermann, Pelin Erkoc, Sabrina D. Dirnberger, Thao N. Phan, Robert Fuerst, Reiko Ueoka, Eric J. N. Helfrich
Summary: This study discovered a new family of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides, named atropopeptides. The characterization of two atropopeptide biosynthetic pathways revealed a two-step maturation process. Atropopeptides promote pro-angiogenic cell functions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Narayanan Srividya, Iris Lange, Jana K. Richter, Matthias Wuest, B. Markus Lange
Summary: In this study, the enantioselectivity of multiple enzymes involved in monoterpenoid biosynthesis in peppermint and Japanese catnip was investigated. The experimental results showed that these enzymes exhibited different enantioselectivity towards intermediates of the pathway, and molecular modeling studies supported the experimental data. This study lays the groundwork for further structure-function studies on the origin of enantioselectivity in closely related species of the Lamiaceae.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanhui Lu, Qi Bai, Qiang Li, Xusong Zheng, Junce Tian, Jiawen Guo, Hongxing Xu, Zhongxian Lu
Summary: The study identified and characterized two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes, CsCYP6SN3 and CsCYP306A1, associated with the lethal effect of vetiver against C. suppressalis larvae. Inhibition of these genes significantly reduced pupation rate and pupa weight in the pests.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jitka Frebortova, Ivo Frebort
Summary: Cytokinins, plant hormones, can also be produced and metabolized in bacteria. Plant-associated bacteria actively synthesize cytokinins to interact with their host, similar to plants. Both bacteria and plants produce diverse cytokinin metabolites using corresponding metabolic pathways.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sheng Dong, Jingfei Chen, Xingwang Zhang, Fei Guo, Li Ma, Cai You, Xiao Wang, Wei Zhang, Xiaobo Wan, Shuang-Jiang Liu, Li-Shan Yao, Shengying Li, Lei Du, Yingang Feng
Summary: Selective oxidation of C-H bonds in alkylphenols is crucial for structural derivatization in pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing, as well as for biological degradation of toxic chemicals in environmental protection. A novel chemomimetic biocatalytic system using cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CreJ has been developed, showing excellent regio- and stereoselectivity in oxidizing various alkylphenol substrates. The results provide mechanistic insights into CreJ regio- and stereoselectivity, offering promising directions for further enzyme design and engineering efforts.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Carlos A. G. Rigon, Luan Cutti, Guilherme M. Turra, Enrico Z. Ferreira, Christian Menegaz, Walker Schaidhauer, Franck E. Dayan, Todd A. Gaines, Aldo Merotto
Summary: Herbicide mixtures are commonly used to control a wide range of weeds, including those resistant to specific herbicides. However, the impact of mixtures on the evolution of herbicide resistance through enhanced metabolism is not well understood. In this study, the effects of a fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and imazethapyr mixture on herbicide resistance evolution in Echinochloa crus-galli were evaluated. Results showed that recurrent selection with the mixture led to decreased control and increased resistance to several herbicides. Additionally, it was found that the main contributor to decreased control was fenoxaprop. This study highlights the need for using fully recommended herbicide rates in mixtures to reduce the risk of resistance evolution.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiawei Liu, Hongmin Hu, Huimin Shen, Qingyin Tian, Wenjie Ding, Xiulian Yang, Lianggui Wang, Yuanzheng Yue
Summary: This study identified a total of 276 P450 genes belonging to 40 families in Osmanthus fragrans, suggesting their potential roles in fragrance synthesis. The research provides valuable insights into the functions of P450 genes and serves as a guide for further studies on promoting fragrance biosynthesis in ornamental plants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gabriela C. Schroeder, Martha S. Smit, Diederik J. Opperman
Summary: CYPs/P450s are versatile hemethiolate proteins with high stereo- and regio-selectivity, making them powerful biocatalysts for synthesizing value-added compounds. This review highlights recent advances in P450-mediated syntheses, including enzyme engineering strategies to enhance selectivity and facilitate bond formation, as well as approaches to overcome limitations of P450 catalysis for improved efficiency and biotechnological viability.
CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hongsheng Gao, Huiqing Huang, Kaifeng Lu, Cuiting Wang, Xiaohua Liu, Zhizhong Song, Houjun Zhou, Lei Yang, Bei Li, Chunyan Yu, Hongxia Zhang
Summary: The expression of OsCYP714D1 gene improved salt tolerance in transgenic poplar plants by regulating gibberellin and ion homeostasis, resulting in increased plant height, K+ content, and decreased growth inhibition and Na+ content under high salt stress conditions. Transcriptomic analyses revealed up-regulation of GA biosynthesis, signaling, and stress responsive genes in transgenic plants, while gene ontology analyses indicated enrichment of genes involved in plant hormone and ion metabolic activities in the transgenic plants. OsCYP714D1 can be used as a candidate gene for engineering new tree varieties with improved biomass production and salt stress resistance.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiankang Xin, Tianmin Che, Xiaolong Huang, Huiqing Yan, Shan Jiang
Summary: In this study, the functions of PpCYP98 in Physcomitrium patens were investigated using transcriptome and metabolome analyses. A total of 5266 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 68 differentially abundant secondary metabolites were identified between wild-type and ∆PpCYP98 gametophores. The results showed that PpCYP98 plays vital roles in the pre-lignin synthesis pathway and the synthesis of flavonoids in bryophytes. PpCYP98 also showed systemic effects on metabolisms, including carbohydrate, fatty acid, and hormonal signaling transductions.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Jiang, Hongbo Jin, Guangtao Zhang, Wenjun Zhang, Wei Liu, Yiguang Zhu, Changsheng Zhang, Liping Zhang
Summary: This study provides mechanistic understanding of the functional differences between the homologous cytochrome P450 enzymes IkaD and CftA, which catalyze multiple C-H oxidations on the same substrate with distinct regio- and chemoselectivity. The crystal structures reveal that the differences in the conformation of the F/G region in IkaD and CftA control the substrate orientation and determine their binding patterns with polar moieties. Fine-tuning the polar subpocket of IkaD can alter its regioselectivity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Tianfei Peng, Xuemei Liu, Fayi Tian, Hongfei Xu, Fengting Yang, Xuewei Chen, Xiwu Gao, Yuntong Lv, Jianyi Li, Yiou Pan, Qingli Shang
Summary: The study revealed that the upregulation of certain cytochrome P450 genes is associated with spirotetramat resistance in A. gossypii, and some lncRNAs may regulate the expression of these P450 genes to affect resistance. These findings provide a molecular basis for further investigating cotton aphid P450 genes and lncRNA functions in spirotetramat resistance development.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sascha Grobe, Christoffel P. S. Badenhorst, Thomas Bayer, Emil Hamnevik, Shuke Wu, Christoph W. Grathwol, Andreas Link, Sven Koban, Henrike Brundiek, Beatrice Grossjohann, Uwe T. Bornscheuer
Summary: In this study, the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP107D1 was engineered for the stereo- and regioselective 7 beta-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid to yield ursodeoxycholic acid. By identifying specificity-determining residues and utilizing a synthetic small library, a nearly perfectly regio- and stereoselective triple mutant was developed, which produces UDCA at significantly higher levels than the initial variant. This biocatalyst offers new possibilities for environmentally friendly synthesis of UDCA from biological waste product.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Takatoshi Wakabayashi, Kotomi Ueno, Yukihiro Sugimoto
Summary: This article reviews the history leading to the discovery of the genuine structure of orobanchol and the current understanding of its biosynthetic mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre Stallforth, Maria Mittag, Axel A. Brakhage, Christian Hertweck, Ute A. Hellmich
Summary: Interactions between microorganisms are often mediated by specialized metabolites, which can be subject to community-dependent modifications in complex microbiomes. Chemical and biological tools can shed light on this poorly understood aspect of chemical ecology. Loss-of-function modifications are abundant, while gain-of-function modifications are underexplored but play an important role in microbial interactions, presenting great potential for our understanding of microbial interactions and targeted interference with microbial signaling.
TRENDS IN BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sebastian Goetze, Raghav Vij, Katja Burow, Nicola Thome, Lennart Urbat, Nicolas Schlosser, Sebastian Pflanze, Rita Mueller, Veit G. Haensch, Kevin Schlabach, Leila Fazlikhani, Grit Walther, Hans-Martin Dahse, Lars Regestein, Sascha Brunke, Bernhard Hube, Christian Hertweck, Philipp Franken, Pierre Stallforth
Summary: Investigating the ecological context of microbial predator-prey interactions helps in identifying microorganisms that produce secondary metabolites to evade predation or kill the predator. By using genomics-based methods, new biosynthetic gene clusters can be discovered for the development of antimicrobials. This study describes the identification of keanumycins, which enable bacteria to evade predation and exhibit antimycotic activity against plant pathogens.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix Trottmann, Jonas Fiedler, Keishi Ishida, Mie Ishida-Ito, Rory F. Little, Christian Hertweck
Summary: Novel malleicyprol congeners with different chain lengths were discovered, and it was found that medium-sized fatty acids serve as the starter units for their biosynthesis, catalyzed by the enzyme BurM. Further study on the function and role of BurM could potentially lead to the development of enzyme inhibitors as novel antivirulence therapeutics against BP pathogens.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah Buettner, Johannes Hoerl, Jana Krabbe, Christian Hertweck
Summary: Through comparative genome analysis and metabolic profiling, researchers found that Luteibacter anthropi has a higher biosynthetic potential and a unique NRPS gene coding for the biosynthesis of a metallophore compared to other bacteria in the same genus. They identified a new family of salicylate-derived nonribosomal peptides named anthrochelins A-D, which feature a C-terminal homocysteine tag introduced during peptide termination. Mutational analyses revealed the involvement of a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in oxazole formation. Bioassays showed that anthrochelin significantly promotes the growth of L. anthropi in the presence of low and high copper concentrations, which are important during infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Richter, Philipp Wein, Zerrin Uzum, Claire E. Stanley, Jana Krabbe, Evelyn M. Molloy, Nadine Moebius, Iuliia Ferling, Falk Hillmann, Christian Hertweck
Summary: As a symbiotic partner of the fungus Rhizopus microsporus, the bacterium Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica faces challenges in evading the host's defense mechanisms. The role of a transcription activator-like (TAL) effector released by the endobacteria as an essential symbiosis factor has been discovered.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Klapper, Alexander Huebner, Anan Ibrahim, Ina Wasmuth, Maxime Borry, Veit G. Haensch, Shuaibing Zhang, Walid K. Al-Jammal, Harikumar Suma, James A. Fellows Yates, Jasmin Frangenberg, Irina M. Velsko, Somak Chowdhury, Rosa Herbst, Evgeni Bratovanov, Hans-Martin Dahse, Therese Horch, Christian Hertweck, Manuel Ramon Gonzalez Morales, Lawrence Guy Straus, Ivan Vilotijevic, Christina Warinner, Pierre Stallforth
Summary: Major advances in ancient DNA research have allowed access to paleogenomic diversity, however, the functions and capabilities of this genetic material remain largely unknown. In this study, dental calculus samples from ancient humans were examined, leading to the discovery of a biosynthetic gene cluster that produces previously unknown metabolites called paleofurans. This demonstrates the possibility of obtaining natural products from ancient organisms and opens up new opportunities for exploration in this field.
Article
Microbiology
Mario K. C. Krespach, Maria C. Stroe, Tina Netzker, Maira Rosin, Lukas M. Zehner, Anna J. Komor, Johanna M. Beilmann, Thomas Krueger, Kirstin Scherlach, Olaf Kniemeyer, Volker Schroeckh, Christian Hertweck, Axel A. Brakhage
Summary: The soil bacterium Streptomyces iranensis triggers the production of natural products in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans using arginine-derived polyketide signalling molecules. These molecules, called arginoketides, can be cyclic or linear and induce the production of natural products in fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. The presence of arginoketide producers and fungi that respond to this signal in the same soil sample suggests a widespread occurrence of such microbial interactions.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marion Herisse, Keishi Ishida, Jordan Staiger-Creed, Louise Judd, Spencer J. Williams, Benjamin P. Howden, Timothy P. Stinear, Hans-Martin Dahse, Kerstin Voigt, Christian Hertweck, Sacha J. Pidot
Summary: Nocardia are opportunistic human pathogens that cause difficult to treat infections. However, little is known about their involvement in the pathogenesis and the natural products they produce. In this study, a new cytotoxic and antifungal polyene called terpenomycin was discovered in a human pathogenic Nocardia terpenica isolate. The biosynthetic pathway and unique features of terpenomycin were revealed, and a mutant library helped identify a terpenomycin-null mutant. These findings highlight the potential of neglected actinomycetes as producers of diverse bioactive molecules.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hajo Kries, Felix Trottmann, Christian Hertweck
Summary: Enzymes are increasingly recognized as valuable biocatalysts in synthetic chemistry. Many novel biocatalysts have emerged from the study of secondary metabolism, where rare and unusual reactions take place. In this review, we explore biocatalysts that address various synthetic challenges, including cyclization, C-H functionalization, and cross-coupling, among others, offering unique opportunities for green chemistry.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mandy D. Mlotek, Benjamin Dose, Christian Hertweck
Summary: This study identifies a novel biosynthetic pathway for isothiocyanate natural products, which involves the catalytic transfer of sulfur onto isonitriles by rhodanese-like enzymes in bacteria. It not only elucidates an elusive step in bacterial isothiocyanate biosynthesis but also reveals a new function of rhodanese-like enzymes in specialized metabolism.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eike Schafer, Paula S. Seibold, Stefan Bartram, Felix Trottmann, Veit G. Haensch, Markus Gressler, Andrew R. Chadeayne, Christian Hertweck, Sarah E. O'Connor, Dirk Hoffmeister
Summary: This study identified several compounds present in various Psilocybe species, including cubebol, β-copaene, δ-cadinene, and germacrene D, through fluorescence staining and transgenic techniques. The results also revealed the presence of related enzymes encoded by CubA in multiple Psilocybe species.
Article
Microbiology
Philipp Wein, Katharina Dornblut, Sebastian Herkersdorf, Thomas Krueger, Evelyn M. Molloy, Axel A. Brakhage, Dirk Hoffmeister, Christian Hertweck
Summary: The soft rot pathogen Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosum releases jagaricin, a membrane-disrupting lipopeptide. However, this toxin alone cannot explain the rapid decay of button mushrooms. In this study, we found that secretion systems, specifically T2SS and T3SS, play a crucial role in soft rot disease by secreting lytic enzymes and putative effector proteins.
Article
Biology
Jan-Niklas Weber, Rieke Minner-Meinen, Maria Behnecke, Rebekka Biedendieck, Veit G. Haensch, Thomas W. Hercher, Christian Hertweck, Lena van den Hout, Lars Knueppel, Simon Sivov, Jutta Schulze, Ralf-R. Mendel, Robert Haensch, David Kaufholdt
Summary: Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for plants and plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes. A second family of molybdate transporters (MOT2) has been identified, showing involvement in the distribution and usage of molybdate. The MOT2 family is responsible for cellular import of molybdate in leaves and reproductive organs. Additionally, the study also discovered a glutathione-molybdate complex, providing insights into vacuolar storage of molybdate.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sebastian Goetze, Raghav Vij, Katja Burow, Nicola Thome, Lennart Urbat, Nicolas Schlosser, Sebastian Pflanze, Rita Mueller, Veit G. Haensch, Kevin Schlabach, Leila Fazlikhani, Grit Walther, Hans-Martin Dahse, Lars Regestein, Sascha Brunke, Bernhard Hube, Christian Hertweck, Philipp Franken, Pierre Stallforth
Summary: Investigating the ecological context of microbial predator-prey interactions can help identify micro-organisms that produce secondary metabolites to evade predation or kill predators. Genomic analysis and molecular biology methods can be used to identify biosynthetic gene clusters that yield new antimicrobials to combat the antimicrobial crisis. In this study, the keanumycins were identified as nonribosomal peptides that enable Pseudomonas bacteria to evade amoebal predation and exhibit strong antifungal activity. The chemical structures of the keanumycins were fully elucidated, and the genome-wide microarray analysis shed light on the mode-of-action of keanumycin A.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ingrid Richter, Zerrin Uzum, Philipp Wein, Evelyn M. Molloy, Nadine Moebius, Timothy P. Stinear, Sacha J. Pidot, Christian Hertweck
Summary: The bacterial endosymbiont Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica in the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus plays a crucial role in fungal reproduction by secreting T3SS effectors, AWR peptide and TAL effectors. The absence of these effectors significantly reduces fungal sporulation, while their presence allows successful colonization of the fungus. This study provides insights into the control of fungal physiology by prokaryotic symbionts.