Proteins of the penicillin biosynthesis pathway

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 1997 Dec;7(6):857-64. doi: 10.1016/s0959-440x(97)80158-3.

Abstract

Two sequential steps are common to the biosynthesis of all penicillin-derived antibiotics: the reaction of three L-amino acids to give L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine, and the oxidation of this tripeptide to give isopenicillin N. Recent studies on the peptide synthetase and oxidase enzymes responsible for these steps have implications for the mechanisms and structures of related enzymes involved in a range of metabolic processes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidoreductases / chemistry*
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Penicillins / biosynthesis*
  • Penicillium / enzymology*
  • Peptide Synthases / chemistry*
  • Peptide Synthases / metabolism

Substances

  • Penicillins
  • Iron
  • Oxidoreductases
  • isopenicillin N synthetase
  • Peptide Synthases
  • alpha-aminoadipyl-cysteinyl-valine synthetase
  • penicillin N