Cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of Streptomyces rubellomurinus genes required for biosynthesis of antimalarial compound FR900098

Chem Biol. 2008 Aug 25;15(8):765-70. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2008.07.010.

Abstract

The antibiotics fosmidomycin and FR900098 are members of a unique class of phosphonic acid natural products that inhibit the nonmevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis. Both are potent antibacterial and antimalarial compounds, but despite their efficacy, little is known regarding their biosynthesis. Here we report the identification of the Streptomyces rubellomurinus genes required for the biosynthesis of FR900098. Expression of these genes in Streptomyces lividans results in production of FR900098, demonstrating their role in synthesis of the antibiotic. Analysis of the putative gene products suggests that FR900098 is synthesized by metabolic reactions analogous to portions of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These data greatly expand our knowledge of phosphonate biosynthesis and enable efforts to overproduce this highly useful therapeutic agent.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Fosfomycin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Fosfomycin / biosynthesis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases) / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases) / metabolism
  • Streptomyces / genetics*
  • Streptomyces / metabolism*
  • Streptomyces lividans / genetics
  • Streptomyces lividans / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Fosfomycin
  • 3-(N-acetyl-N-hydroxy)aminopropylphosphonic acid
  • Phosphotransferases (Phosphomutases)
  • phosphoenolpyruvate mutase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ267750