Takayoshi Awakawa

Induced production of PKS-NRPS metabolites: the genome mining approach is useful for obtaining new compounds. We activated a dormant PKS-NRPS gene cluster in Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015 by expressing its dedicated transcriptional activator (PynR). As a result, the transformant expressing pynR produced a new pyranonigrin compound that we have named pyranonigirin E.

Reprogramming of the NRPS/PKS assembly line is an attractive method for the production of new bioactive molecules. However, it is usually hampered by the loss of intimate domain/module interactions required for the precise control of chain transfer and elongation reactions. In this study, we first establish heterologous expression systems of the unique antimycin-type cyclic depsipeptides: JBIR-06 (tri-lactone) and neoantimycin (tetra-lactone), and engineer their biosyntheses by taking advantage

Aziridine is a characteristically reactive molecule with increased bioactivity due to its strained ring structure. Here, we investigated the biosynthesis of 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) in Penicillium, and successfully reconstituted the three-step biosynthesis from L-Val to AIB in vitro. This previously unknown aziridine formation pathway proceeded with the non-heme iron and α-ketoglutarate-dependent (Fe^II /αKG) oxygenase TqaL, followed by aziridine ring opening by the haloalkanoic ac

A polyketide biosynthesis gene cluster (agq) was found on the genome of a rare actinomycete, Actinoplanes missouriensis. Streptomyces lividans expressing agqA encoding a type III polyketide synthase produced alkylresorcinols mainly from C(16-17) fatty acids. Heterologous expression of the agq genes in S. lividans indicated the function of cognate polyketide modification enzymes; a monooxygenase AgqB hydroxylates the alkylresorcinols to yield 6-alkyl-2-hydroxyhydroquinones, a methyltransferase Ag

Talaromyolides (<b>1</b>-<b>6</b>) are a group of unusual 6/6/6/6/6/6 hexacyclic meroterpenoids with (3<i>R</i>)-6-hydroxymellein and 4,5-seco-drimane substructures, isolated from the marine fungus <i>Talaromyces purpureogenus</i>. We have identified the biosynthetic gene cluster <i>tlxA-J</i> by heterologous expression in <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>in vitro</i> enzyme assays, and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene inactivation. Remarkably, the heterodimer of non-heme iron (NHI) enzymes, TlxJ-TlxI, catalyzes th

Teleocidin B is a terpenoid indole alkaloid with unique structures including indolactam and cyclic terpenoid, and is a strong protein kinase C activator. Its unique structure and bioactivity have drawn vast interest from chemists and biologists, and numerous isolation and bioactivity studies on this molecule have been performed. Recently, its biosynthetic enzymes were identified, and some of their crystal structures were reported. In this review, we describe the isolation of teleocidin derivativ

Sulfonamides and sulfamates are a group of organosulfur compounds that contain the signature sulfamoyl structural motif. These compounds were initially only known as synthetic antibacterial drugs but were later also discovered as natural products. Eight highly potent examples have been isolated from actinomycetes to date, illustrating the large biosynthetic repertoire of this bacterial genus. For the biosynthesis of these compounds, several distinct and unique biosynthetic machineries have been

Ascochlorin is a medicinally important fungal meroterpenoid. Its biosynthetic pathway in Fusarium sp. was identified, and the stereoselective epoxidation of the farnesyl group by the multidomain, soluble P450 monooxygenase AscE and the subsequent formation of the unique timethylcyclohexanone ring by the membrane-bound cyclase AscF were investigated. Precursor-directed biosynthesis generated novel bromo-substituted derivatives, which exhibited potent cytotoxic activities. This study paves the way