prodigiosin and prodiginine

Prodiginines are a large family of microbial secondary metabolites with a core structure of tripyrrole rings. They exhibit not only diverse chemical structures but also rich biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-algae, anti-parasitic, pesticides, and UV radiation resistance. The preferred cytotoxicity to cancer cells rather than normal cells indicates a good biological selectivity and safety, which makes the prodiginines promising candidates for drug development and novel additives for food processing. Until now, 33 prodiginine natural products have been identified in various bacteria, including Serratia, Hahella, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Zooshikella, Streptomyces, and Actinomadura. However, most efforts are still focused on the star molecule prodigiosin, while little yet is known about other prodiginine members, which retards the research and application of prodiginine compounds. To gain insight into the prodiginine family, we reviewed the recent discoveries on their chemical structures, biosynthesis, biological activities, and mechanisms of action. We believe this article will provide a guideline for new research on prodiginines, such as the discovery of new congeners and drug development. KEY POINTS: • The prodiginines are a large family of natural products with a core structure of tripyrrole rings and exhibit various bioactivities. • The prodiginines have a widespread distribution among many environmental microbes and diverse biosynthetic pathways, indicating important ecological roles and a great potential for new congeners. • The potent biological activities and good selectivity of action make prodiginines good lead compounds for drug development.

Topics: Biological Products; Prodigiosin; Serratia; Streptomyces

Prodigiosin (PG), a red tripyrrole pigment, belongs to a member of the prodiginine family and is normally secreted by various sources including Serratia marcescens and other Gram-negative bacteria. The studies of PG have received innovative devotion as a result of reported antimicrobial, larvicidal and anti-nematoid immunomodulation and antitumor properties, owing to its antibiotic and cytotoxic activities. This review provides a comprehensive summary of research undertaken toward the isolation and structural elucidation of the prodiginine family of natural products. Additionally, the current evidence-based understanding of the biological activities and medicinal potential of PG is employed to determine the efficacy, with some reports of information related to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology.

Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Humans; Prodigiosin; Serratia marcescens

Prodiginines are a large family of tripyrrole alkaloids that contain natural members produced by various bacteria and non-natural members obtained from chemical synthesis, enzymatic synthesis, and mutasynthesis. These compounds have attracted a great deal of attention due to their wide range of fascinating properties including anti-infective, anticancer, and immunosuppressive activities. In consideration of the great need for novel and effective anti-infective agents, this review is mainly focused on the current status of research on the anti-infective properties of prodiginines, highlighting their antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-larval, and antiviral activities. Additionally, the multiple mechanisms by which prodiginines exert their anti-infective effects will also be discussed.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Antiviral Agents; Bacteria; Fungi; Immunosuppressive Agents; Mosquito Control; Parasites; Prodigiosin; Viruses

Covering: up to the end of 2017 The roles played by Rieske non-heme iron-dependent oxygenases in natural product biosynthesis are reviewed, with particular focus on experimentally characterised examples. Enzymes belonging to this class are known to catalyse a range of transformations, including oxidative carbocyclisation, N-oxygenation, C-hydroxylation and C-C desaturation. Examples of such enzymes that have yet to be experimentally investigated are also briefly described and their likely functions are discussed.

Topics: Biological Products; Cyclization; Electron Transport Complex III; Heme; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Hydroxylation; Oxygenases; Prodigiosin; Pyrroles; Pyrrolnitrin; Spiro Compounds

The prodiginine family of bacterial alkaloids is a diverse set of heterocyclic natural products that have likely been known to man since antiquity. In more recent times, these alkaloids have been discovered to span a wide range of chemical structures that possess a number of interesting biological activities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of research undertaken toward the isolation and structural elucidation of the prodiginine family of natural products. Additionally, research toward chemical synthesis of the prodiginine alkaloids over the last several decades is extensively reviewed. Finally, the current, evidence-based understanding of the various biosynthetic pathways employed by bacteria to produce prodiginine alkaloids is summarized.

Topics: Alkaloids; Bacteria; Biological Products; Prodigiosin; Serratia marcescens

Apoptosis is involved in the action of several (and perhaps all) cancer-chemotherapeutic agents. Prodiginines are a family of natural red pigmented secondary metabolites, produced by different bacteria and most of them are characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethene skeleton. The biosynthesis of prodigiosin and derivatives has been extensively studied in Serratia marcescens. S. marcescens is a Gramnegative bacterium belonging to Enterobacteriaceae. Prodiginines show numerous biological activities pointing out immunosuppressive and anticancer properties. Some prodiginines displayed apoptotic effects in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo. Their cytotoxic effect is attributed to the presence of the C- 6 methoxy substituent. The A-pyrrole ring plays a key role in both the copper nuclease activity and the cytotoxicity of prodiginines. Here we review the main characteristics of prodigiosin and their derivatives as well as the most prominent pharmacological activity of prodiginines and related compounds, including novel synthetic PG-derivatives with lower toxicity like GX15-070 (Obatoclax). The molecular targets of prodiginines are discussed and the mechanism of action for these molecules is a current topic in biomedicine with a real therapeutica potential in the clinic.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; DNA Damage; Humans; Indoles; Neoplasms; Prodigiosin; Pyrroles; Serratia; Signal Transduction

The red-pigmented prodiginines are bioactive secondary metabolites produced by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Recently, these tripyrrole molecules have received renewed attention owing to reported immunosuppressive and anticancer properties. The enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathways for the production of two of these molecules, prodigiosin and undecylprodigiosin, are now known. However, the biochemistry of some of the reactions is still poorly understood. The physiology and regulation of prodiginine production in Serratia and Streptomyces are now well understood, although the biological role of these pigments in the producer organisms remains unclear. However, research into the biology of pigment production will stimulate interest in the bioengineering of strains to synthesize useful prodiginine derivatives.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bacteria; Cues; Environment; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gene Order; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Immunosuppressive Agents; Multigene Family; Prodigiosin; Quorum Sensing; Signal Transduction

The prodiginine antibiotics exhibit antitumor and immunosuppressive activity. In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Reynolds and coworkers demonstrate that new prodiginines can be obtained by substituting a FabH ketosynthase for the RedP ketosynthase in the undecylprodiginine biosynthetic gene cluster.

Topics: Acetyltransferases; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fatty Acid Synthase, Type II; Multienzyme Complexes; Pigments, Biological; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces coelicolor

Prodiginines are a family of red-pigmented secondary metabolites with multiple biological activities. The biosynthesis of prodiginines is affected by various physiological and environmental factors. Thus, prodiginine biosynthesis regulation is highly complex and multifaceted. Although the regulatory mechanism for prodiginine biosynthesis has been extensively studied in

Topics: Adhesins, Bacterial; Iron; Prodigiosin; Pseudoalteromonas; Siderophores

Prodiginines are bacterial red polypyrrole pigments and multifaceted secondary metabolites. These agents have anti-proliferative, immunosuppressive, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Recent analysis revealed that prodigiosin hypersensitizes Serratia marcescens to gamma radiation. In the present study, we report the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity properties of undecylprodigiosin and butylcycloheptylprodigiosin in the presence and absence of radiation through the MTT and alkaline comet experiments.. Findings demonstrated that undecylprodigiosin was at least a fivefold more cytotoxic at low radiation doses (1 and 3 Gy) on both MCF7 and HDF lines rather than in the absence or high radiation doses (5 Gy) (P value < 0.05). Although butylcycloheptylprodigiosin toxicity on MCF7 and HDF was dose-dependent, it was not influenced by any radiation doses (P value > 0.05). Comet findings confirmed that these compounds' genotoxicity is only dose-dependent. Radiation had no significant effects on DNA damage on any of the cells (P value > 0.05).. In general, it can be concluded that the prodiginines are cytotoxic agents that act as a double-edged sword, radiosensitizers and radio-protective, respectively at low and high radiation doses in cancer treatment process. As the results they could be used in antitumor therapies very soon.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line; DNA Damage; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; MCF-7 Cells; Neoplasms; Photosensitizing Agents; Prodigiosin

Prodiginines and tambjamines are related families of bioactive alkaloid natural products with pharmaceutical potential. Both compound families result from a convergent biosynthetic pathway ending in the condensation of a conserved bipyrrole core with a variable partner. This reaction is performed by unique condensation enzymes, and has the potential to be manipulated to produce new pyrrolic compounds. We have purified and reconstituted the in vitro activity of the condensation enzymes PigC and TamQ from Pseudoalteromonas sp., which are involved, respectively, in the prodiginine and tambjamine biosynthetic pathways. Kinetic analysis confirmed a Uni Uni Bi Uni ping-pong reaction sequence with competitive and uncompetitive substrate inhibition for PigC and TamQ respectively. The kinetic parameters of each enzyme provide insight into their differing substrate scope, and suggest that TamQ may have evolved a wide substrate tolerance that can be used for the production of novel prodiginines and tambjamines.

Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Biological Products; Kinetics; Multigene Family; Prodigiosin; Pseudoalteromonas; Pyrroles; Recombinant Proteins; Substrate Specificity

Ion mobility spectrometry was utilized to corroborate the identity of streptorubin B (

Topics: Biological Products; Ion Mobility Spectrometry; Molecular Structure; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces coelicolor

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer with an elevated incidence of metastasis and chemoresistance. Such features hamper treatment success of these neoplasms, demanding the search for new therapeutic options. Using a two-step resin-based approach, we recently demonstrated that cytotoxic prodiginines bind to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein, survivin. Herein, we explore the role of survivin in melanoma and whether its modulation is related to the antimelanoma properties of three cytotoxic prodiginines (prodigiosin, cyclononylprodigiosin, and nonylprodigiosin) isolated from marine bacteria. In melanoma patients and cell lines, survivin is overexpressed, and higher levels negatively impact survival. All three prodiginines caused a decrease in cell growth with reduced cytotoxicity after 24 h compared to 72 h treatment, suggesting that low concentrations promote cytostatic effects in SK-Mel-19 (BRAF mutant) and SK-Mel-28 (BRAF mutant), but not in SK-Mel-147 (NRAS mutant). An increase in G1 population was observed after 24 h treatment with prodigiosin and cyclononylprodigiosin in SK-Mel-19. Further studies indicate that prodigiosin induced apoptosis and DNA damage, as detected by increased caspase-3 cleavage and histone H2AX phosphorylation, further arguing for the downregulation of survivin. Computer simulations suggest that prodigiosin and cyclononylprodigiosin bind to the BIR domain of survivin. Moreover, knockdown of survivin increased long-term toxicity of prodigiosin, as observed by reduced clonogenic capacity, but did not alter short-term cytotoxicity. In summary, prodiginine treatment provoked cytostatic rather than cytotoxic effects, cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, induction of apoptosis and DNA damage, downregulation of survivin, and decreased clonogenic capacity in survivin knockdown cells.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; DNA Damage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Humans; Melanoma; Prodigiosin; Survivin

Prodiginines and tambjamines are anion-selective ionophores capable of facilitating the transport of anions across the plasma membrane in mammalian cells. One of the potential applications of these anionophores is the possibility of employing them as a substitutive therapy for pathologies involving anion channels, as in cystic fibrosis. We have studied the interaction of a large anion as gluconate with three prodiginine- and two tambjamine-like compounds. Apparent dissociation constants for the chloride, iodide and gluconate complexes were estimated from iodide influx experiments in mammalian cells exposed to different extracellular anion combinations. Our experiments indicate that gluconate is not transported by the prodiginines, leaving the anionophores free to transport chloride and iodide. Conversely, gluconate would be transported to some extent by the tambjamines, competing with halides for the anionophores, and consequently reducing their flux. This might be related to the different structural features of both families of compounds. These data have important implications for the selection of impermeable anions in the analysis of the anionophore mechanism.

Topics: Animals; Anion Transport Proteins; Gluconates; Ion Transport; Prodigiosin; Pyrroles; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344

Identification of RNA-interacting pharmacophores could provide chemical probes and, potentially, small molecules for RNA-based therapeutics. Using a high-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry assay, we identified small-molecule natural products with the capacity to bind the discrete stem-looped structure of pre-miR-21. The most potent compound identified was a prodiginine-type compound, butylcycloheptyl prodiginine (bPGN), with the ability to inhibit Dicer-mediated processing of pre-miR-21 in vitro and in cells. Time-dependent RT-qPCR, western blot, and transcriptomic analyses showed modulation of miR-21 expression and its target genes such as PDCD4 and PTEN upon treatment with bPGN, supporting on-target inhibition. Consequently, inhibition of cellular proliferation in HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells was also observed when treated with bPGN. The discovery that bPGN can bind and modulate the expression of regulatory RNAs such as miR-21 helps set the stage for further development of this class of natural product as a molecular probe or therapeutic agent against miRNA-dependent diseases.

Topics: Binding Sites; Biological Products; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; HCT116 Cells; Humans; MicroRNAs; Molecular Structure; Optical Imaging; Prodigiosin; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Allelopathy; Biosynthetic Pathways; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Depsipeptides; Endophytes; Maytenus; Metabolome; Microbial Interactions; Prodigiosin; Serratia marcescens; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

The genus Streptomyces is the best-known source of therapeutic secondary metabolites, especially antibiotics with pharmaceutical applications. Here, we performed a comparative study based on the time-resolved metabolic disparity in S. coelicolor A3(2) subjected to fermentative cultivation in two different types of media (R2YE and RSM3) in order to investigate secondary metabolite production pathways. The relative abundance of secondary metabolites, such as prodiginines, indoles, germicidins, and selected diketopiperazines, was increased in S. coelicolor A3(2) cultivated in R2YE medium compared to that in RSM3 medium, variably at the late-log and stationary phases of fermentative growth. Correlation analysis indicated that "antibiotic prodiginines" contributed maximally to the absorption maxima (A530) of culture supernatants, indicating their optimal production at 96 hours in R2YE medium. A higher abundance of L-proline (48-72 hours) followed by prodiginines (96 hours) was evident, substantiating the intertwined links between precursor and activated prodiginines pathway. Similarly, the higher abundance of indoles was concurrent with tryptophan levels in the shikimate pathway, whereas diketopiperazines were synchronously abundant along with the levels of phenylalanine, leucine, and proline. Additionally, acetyl-CoA induced the acetate pathway, resulting in the production of germicidins. Thus, our results demonstrate that S. coelicolor A3(2) produces specific secondary metabolites by enhancing the dedicated metabolic pathway responsible for their production. In conclusion, our results from this study provide insight into the metabolic pathways of S. coelicolor A3(2), and can be applied to further optimize the production of prodiginines.

Topics: Culture Media; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces coelicolor; Time Factors; Tryptophan

Owing to the importance of endophytes, current research was aimed to purify the secondary metabolites from targeted source. Ferula sumbul, a lipophilic extract of the endophyte was prepared in 10% methanol and partitioned with ethyl acetate and bioassay guided isolation was carried using standard protocols against bacterial, fungal and cancer cells. The active fractions consisted of three new metabolites (2-methyl-3-nonyl prodiginine, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and a meroterpenoid, Preaustinoid A). Their structures were confirmed with LCMS/MS. The purified metabolites showed valuable results against tested activities which concluded that these compounds have great potential and these may be applicable to textile (dyeing), pharmaceutical (drug, infectious agents) and food (preservatives) industries. This study reveals the potential of E. nigrum as an important source of bioactive compounds including 2-methyl-3-nonyl prodiginine, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and Preaustinoid A. This is first report of isolation of prodiginines as well as meroterpenoid and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from Epicoccum nigrum.

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Ascomycota; Bacteria; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Endophytes; Ferula; Fungi; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Melanoma; Phthalic Acids; Phylogeny; Plant Roots; Prodigiosin; Terpenes

Prodiginines, which are tripyrrole alkaloids displaying a wide array of bioactivities, occur as linear and cyclic congeners. Identification of an unclustered biosynthetic gene led to the discovery of the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the regiospecific C-H activation and cyclization of prodigiosin to cycloprodigiosin in Pseudoalteromonas rubra. This enzyme is related to alkylglycerol monooxygenase and unrelated to RedG, the Rieske oxygenase that produces cyclized prodiginines in Streptomyces, implying convergent evolution.

Topics: Catalysis; Cyclization; Evolution, Molecular; Indoles; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Oxidation-Reduction; Prodigiosin; Pseudoalteromonas; Pyrroles; Streptomyces

Gram-positive

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Base Composition; Base Sequence; DNA Transposable Elements; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gene Library; Mutagenesis, Insertional; Prodigiosin; Secondary Metabolism; Streptomyces coelicolor; Transposases

In the genus Streptomyces, carbon utilization is of significant importance for the expression of genes involved in morphological differentiation and antibiotic production. However, there is little information about the mechanism involved in these effects. In the present work, it was found that glucose exerted a suppressive effect on the Streptomyces coelicolor actinorhodin (Act) and undecylprodigiosin (Red) production, as well as in its morphological differentiation. Accordingly, using a high-density microarray approach in S. coelicolor grown under glucose repression, at early growth stages, a negative effect was exerted on the transcription of genes involved in Act and Red production, when compared with non-repressive conditions. Seven genes of Act and at least ten genes of Red production were down-regulated by glucose. Stronger repression was observed on the initial steps of antibiotics formation. On the contrary, the coelimycin P1 cluster was up-regulated by glucose. Regarding differentiation, no sporulation was observed in the presence of glucose and expression of a set of genes of the bld cascade was repressed as well as chaplins and rodlins genes. Finally, a series of transcriptional regulators involved in both processes were up- or down-regulated by glucose. This is the first global transcriptomic approach performed to understand the molecular basis of the glucose effect on the synthesis of secondary metabolism and differentiation in the genus Streptomyces. The results of this study are opening new avenues for further exploration.

Topics: Anthraquinones; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Carbon; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Genes, Bacterial; Glucose; Prodigiosin; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Secondary Metabolism; Streptomyces coelicolor

The marine Streptomyces sp. CNQ-617 produces two diastereomers, marineosins A and B. These are structurally related to alkyl prodiginines, but with a more complex cyclization and an unusual spiroaminal skeleton. We report the identification of the mar biosynthetic gene cluster and demonstrate production of marineosins through heterologous expression in a S. venezuelae host named JND2. The mar cluster shares the same gene organization and has high homology to the genes of the red cluster (which directs the biosynthesis of undecylprodiginine) but contains an additional gene, named marA. Replacement of marA in the JND2 strain leads to the accumulation of premarineosin, which is identical to marineosin with the exception that the middle pyrrole (Ring B) has not been reduced. The final step of the marineosin pathway is thus a MarA catalyzed reduction of this ring. Replacement of marG (a homologue of redG that directs undecylprodiginine cyclization to give streptorubin B) in the JND2 strain leads to the loss of all spiroaminal products and the accumulation of 23-hydroxyundecylprodiginine and a shunt product, 23-ketoundecylprodiginine. MarG thus catalyzes the penultimate step of the marineosin pathway catalyzing conversion of 23-hydroxyundecylprodiginine to premarineosin. The preceding steps of the biosynthetic marineosin pathway likely mirror that in the red-directed biosynthetic process, with the exception of the introduction of the hydroxyl functionality required for spiroaminal formation. This work presents the first experimentally supported scheme for biosynthesis of marineosin and provides a new biologically active molecule, premarineosin.

Topics: Antimalarials; Cloning, Molecular; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Multigene Family; Oxidation-Reduction; Plasmodium falciparum; Prodigiosin; Pyrroles; Sequence Analysis; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Spiro Compounds; Streptomyces

In the present study, we performed a multivariate quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis of 52 prodiginines with antimalarial activity. Variable selection was based on the genetic algorithm (GA) and ordered predictor selection (OPS) approaches, and the models were built using the multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares (PLS) regression methods. The leave-N-out crossvalidation and y-randomization tests showed that the models were robust and free from chance correlation. The mechanistic interpretation of the results was supported by earlier findings. In addition, the comparison of our models with those previously described indicated that the OPS/PLS-based model had a higher quality of external prediction. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of the antimalarial activity of prodiginines, which may be used as a support tool in designing new therapeutic agents for malaria.

Topics: Algorithms; Antimalarials; Prodigiosin; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; Structure-Activity Relationship

Streptomyces bacteria are known for producing important natural compounds by secondary metabolism, especially antibiotics with novel biological activities. Functional studies of antibiotic-biosynthesizing gene clusters are generally through homologous genomic recombination by gene-targeting vectors. Here, we present a rapid and efficient method for construction of gene-targeting vectors. This approach is based on Streptomyces phage φBT1 integrase-mediated multisite in vitro site-specific recombination. Four 'entry clones' were assembled into a circular plasmid to generate the destination gene-targeting vector by a one-step reaction. The four 'entry clones' contained two clones of the upstream and downstream flanks of the target gene, a selectable marker and an E. coli-Streptomyces shuttle vector. After targeted modification of the genome, the selectable markers were removed by φC31 integrase-mediated in vivo site-specific recombination between pre-placed attB and attP sites. Using this method, part of the calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA) and actinorhodin (Act) biosynthetic gene clusters were deleted, and the rrdA encoding RrdA, a negative regulator of Red production, was also deleted. The final prodiginine production of the engineered strain was over five times that of the wild-type strain. This straightforward φBT1 and φC31 integrase-based strategy provides an alternative approach for rapid gene-targeting vector construction and marker removal in streptomycetes.

Topics: Anthraquinones; Gene Deletion; Gene Order; Gene Targeting; Genes, Bacterial; Genetic Vectors; Homologous Recombination; Mutagenesis; Mutation; Phenotype; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces

Prodigiosin and obatoclax, members of the prodiginines family, are small molecules with anti-cancer properties that are currently under preclinical and clinical trials. The molecular target(s) of these agents, however, is an open question. Combining experimental and computational techniques we find that prodigiosin binds to the BH3 domain in some BCL-2 protein families, which play an important role in the apoptotic programmed cell death. In particular, our results indicate a large affinity of prodigiosin for MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family. In melanoma cells, we demonstrate that prodigiosin activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by disrupting MCL-1/BAK complexes. Computer simulations with the PELE software allow the description of the induced fit process, obtaining a detailed atomic view of the molecular interactions. These results provide new data to understand the mechanism of action of these molecules, and assist in the development of more specific inhibitors of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins.

Topics: Apoptosis; bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Ligands; Mitochondria; Molecular Docking Simulation; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; Prodigiosin; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2

Prodigiosin-like pigments or prodiginines (PdGs) are promising drugs owing to their reported antitumor, antibiotic, and immunosuppressive activities. These natural compounds are produced by several bacteria, including Streptomyces coelicolor and Serratia marcescens as most commonly studied models. The bright red color of these tripyrrole pigments made them excellent reporter molecules for studies aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms that control secondary metabolite production in microorganisms. However, the natural red fluorescence of PdGs has only been rarely used as a biophysical parameter for detection and assessment of PdG biosynthesis. In this work, we used S. coelicolor in order to exemplify how intrinsic red fluorescence could be utilized for rapid, low-cost, sensitive, specific and accurate semi-quantitative analyses of PdG biosynthesis. Additionally, and contrary to the colorimetric-based approach, the fluorescence-based method allows in situ spatio-temporal visualization of PdG synthesis throughout a solid culture of S. coelicolor. As PdG production is related to cell differentiation, their red autofluorescence could be exploited, by means of confocal microscopy, as a natural marker of the entrance into a crucial developmental stage in the course of the S. coelicolor life cycle.

Topics: Biological Products; Prodigiosin; Sensitivity and Specificity; Streptomyces coelicolor

In this Account, we discuss the development of new lipid bilayer anion transporters based on the structure of anionophoric natural products (the prodigiosins) and purely synthetic supramolecular systems. We have studied the interaction of these compounds with human cancer cell lines, and, in general, the most active anion transporter compounds possess the greatest anti-cancer properties. Initially, we describe the anion transport properties of synthetic molecules that are based on the structure of the family of natural products known as the prodiginines. Obatoclax, for example, is a prodiginine derivative with an indole ring that is currently in clinical trials for use as an anti-cancer drug. The anion transport properties of the compounds were correlated with their toxicity toward small cell human lung cancer GLC4 cells. We studied related compounds with enamine moieties, tambjamines, that serve as active transporters. These molecules and others in this series could depolarize acidic compartments within GLC4 cells and trigger apoptosis. In a study of the variation of lipophilicity of a series of these compounds, we observed that, as log P increases, the anion transport efficiency reaches a peak and then decreases. In addition, we discuss the anion transport properties of series of synthetic supramolecular anion receptor species. We synthesized trisureas and thioureas based on the tren backbone, and found that the thiourea compounds effectively transport anions. Fluorination of the pendant phenyl groups in this series of compounds greatly enhances the transport properties. Similar to our earlier results, the most active anion transporters reduced the viability of human cancer cell lines by depolarizing acidic compartments in GLC4 cells and triggering apoptosis. In an attempt to produce simpler transporters that obey Lipinski's Rule of Five, we synthesized simpler systems containing a single urea or thiourea group. Once again the thiourea systems, and in particular a thiourea with a pendant indole group, transported anions efficiently. A series of related compounds containing a pendant trifluoromethyl group showed enhanced transport and significant anticancer properties. Researchers still need to determine of the exact mechanism of how these compounds depolarize acidic organelles within cancer cells. However, this work shows that these transporters based upon both natural products and purely synthetic supramolecular systems transport anions, depolarize aci

Topics: Anions; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Biological Transport; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Ion Channels; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Models, Biological; Prodigiosin

The changes in prodiginines productions caused by pH shock culture of Streptomyces coelicolor strains were estimated. In Streptomyces coelicolor M511, undecylprodiginine and streptorubin B productions increased 1.8-fold (37.22 mg/g) and 2.5-fold (18.61 mg/g), respectively, by pH shock (from 7.2 to 4.0). In contrast, this resulted in the significantly decreased prodigignines production in the redP deletion mutant SJM1; 3.7-fold for undecylprodiginine, 4.4-fold for streptorubin B, 5.2-fold for methylundecylprodiginine, and 6.4-fold for methyldodecylundecylprodiginine, respectively. RT-PCR analyses showed that, during pH shock, expression of redD, the transcription activator gene, was increased while the expression of fabH, the decarboxylative condensation enzyme gene in fatty acid biosynthesis, was decreased in both strains. The enhanced redD expression was in good accordance with the increased total prodiginines production of M511. However, for SJM1 mutant, the decrease of fabH expression occurred more strikingly, such that it became almost completely turned off during acidic pH shock culture. Therefore, a down-regulation of fabH was considered to be the cause of decreased amount of total prodiginines produced, although redD expression was high in SJM1 mutant.

Topics: Acids; Anti-Infective Agents; Culture Media; Gene Expression Profiling; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Prodigiosin; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Streptomyces coelicolor; Stress, Physiological

Prodiginines are a family of linear and cyclic oligopyrrole red-pigmented compounds possessing antibacterial, anticancer and immunosuppressive activities and are produced by actinomycetes and other eubacteria. Recently, prodiginines have been reported to possess potent in vitro as well as in vivo antimalarial activity against chloroquine sensitive D6 and multi-drug resistant Dd2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. In the present paper, a QSAR and pharmacophore modeling for a series of natural and synthetic prodiginines was performed to find out structural features which are crucial for antimalarial activity against these D6 and Dd2 Plasmodium strains. The study indicated that inertia moment 2 length, Kier Chi6 (path) index, kappa 3 index and Wiener topological index plays important role in antimalarial activity against D6 strain whereas descriptors inertia moment 2 length, ADME H-bond donors, VAMP polarization XX component and VAMP quadpole XZ component play important role in antimalarial activity against Dd2 strain. Furthermore, a five-point pharmacophore (ADHRR) model with one H-bond acceptor (A), one H-bond donor (D), one hydrophobic group (H) and two aromatic rings (R) as pharmacophore features was developed for D6 strain by PHASE module of Schrodinger suite. Similarly a six-point pharmacophore AADDRR was developed for Dd2 strain activity. All developed QSAR models showed good correlation coefficient (r² > 0.7), higher F value (F >20) and excellent predictive power (Q² > 0.6). Developed models will be highly useful for predicting antimalarial activity of new compounds and could help in designing better molecules with enhanced antimalarial activity. Furthermore, calculated ADME properties indicated drug-likeness of prodiginines.

Topics: Antimalarials; Computer-Aided Design; Drug Design; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Models, Molecular; Plasmodium falciparum; Prodigiosin; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship

In the present study, we have carried out extensive General Unrestricted Structure-Activity Relationships, conventional 3D-Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships, and CoMFA analyses of synthetic prodiginines displaying moderate to high activities against Plasmodium Falciperum. 2D and 3D descriptors, various statistical parameters viz. R(2), R(2)(adj), standard error, Y-randomization, etc., were checked to build fruitful 3D-Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships model. The best five parametric 3D-Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships model is with R(2) = 0.924 and R(2)(pred) = 0.901. CoMFA was performed to check the electrostatic and steric regions, which affect the activity. The CoMFA model is graphically inferred using contour plots, which provide insight into the structural requirements for increasing the activity of a compound. The General Unrestricted Structure-Activity Relationships model, with R(2) = 0.940 and Q(2) = 0.912, suggests that the presence of F on aromatic ring is good for activity. The analyses reveal that lipophilicity plays a crucial role in deciding the activity for these molecules.

Topics: Antimalarials; Models, Molecular; Prodigiosin; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; Static Electricity

Members of the ROK family of proteins are mostly transcriptional regulators and kinases that generally relate to the control of primary metabolism, whereby its member glucose kinase acts as the central control protein in carbon control in Streptomyces. Here, we show that deletion of SCO6008 (rok7B7) strongly affects carbon catabolite repression (CCR), growth, and antibiotic production in Streptomyces coelicolor. Deletion of SCO7543 also affected antibiotic production, while no major changes were observed after deletion of the rok family genes SCO0794, SCO1060, SCO2846, SCO6566, or SCO6600. Global expression profiling of the rok7B7 mutant by proteomics and microarray analysis revealed strong upregulation of the xylose transporter operon xylFGH, which lies immediately downstream of rok7B7, consistent with the improved growth and delayed development of the mutant on xylose. The enhanced CCR, which was especially obvious on rich or xylose-containing media, correlated with elevated expression of glucose kinase and of the glucose transporter GlcP. In liquid-grown cultures, expression of the biosynthetic enzymes for production of prodigionines, siderophores, and calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA) was enhanced in the mutant, and overproduction of prodigionines was corroborated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight analysis. These data present Rok7B7 as a pleiotropic regulator of growth, CCR, and antibiotic production in Streptomyces.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Proteins; Biological Transport; Catabolite Repression; DNA, Bacterial; Gene Deletion; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Mutation; Peptides; Phylogeny; Prodigiosin; Proteomics; Siderophores; Streptomyces coelicolor; Transcription, Genetic; Xylose

The ascomycete Verticillium dahliae causes worldwide vascular wilt of many field and horticultural plants. The melanized resting structures of this fungus, so-called microsclerotia, survive for many years in soils and continuously re-infect plants. Due to the absence of known fungicides, Verticillium wilt causes immense crop losses. We discovered that the Gram-positive, spore-forming soil bacterium Streptomyces lividans expresses members of the prodiginine family during co-cultivation with V. dahliae. Using HPLC and LC-MS analysis of cultures containing S. lividans alone or grown together with V. dahliae, we found that undecylprodigiosin [394.4 M+H](+) is highly abundant, and streptorubin B [392.4 M+H](+) is present in smaller amounts. Within co-cultures, the quantity of undecylprodigiosin increased considerably and pigment concentrated at and within fungal hyphae. The addition of purified undecylprodigiosin to growing V. dahliae hyphae strongly reduced microsclerotia formation. Undecylprodigiosin was also produced when S. lividans grew on the roots of developing Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Furthermore, the presence of the undecylprodigiosin producer led to an efficient reduction of V. dahliae hyphae and microsclerotia on plant-roots. Based on these novel findings and previous knowledge, we deduce that the prodiginine investigated leads to multiple cellular effects, which ultimately impair specific pathways for signal transduction and apoptosis of the fungal plant pathogen.

Topics: Arabidopsis; Hyphae; Microbial Interactions; Plant Roots; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces lividans; Verticillium

In present work, 53 synthetic prodiginines were selected to establish thriving CoMSIA (Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis) model to explore the structural features influencing their anti-malarial activity. POM (Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration) was carried out to get insight into requirements that can lead to the improvement of the activity of these molecules. The CoMSIA model, based on a combination of steric, electrostatic and H-bond acceptor/donor effects, is with R(2)(cv)=0.738 and R(2)=0.911. The analyses reveal that lipophilicity, hydrogen donor/acceptor and steric factors play crucial role. The study with constructive propositions could be useful for the design of new analogues with enhanced activity.

Topics: Antimalarials; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Isomerism; Models, Molecular; Molecular Structure; Prodigiosin; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship

A conformational analysis of a synthetic model prodiginine was carried out. In solution this compound showed a strong preference for the β conformation, in which all the heterocycles are mutually cis. This conformation provided an ideal alignment of the three N-H groups for interacting with anions when the molecule is protonated. A different conformation was also detected in d(6)-DMSO for the mesylate salt, assigned to the α conformation, in which the C ring is engaged in an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the OMe group. The formation of a homodimer was observed in concentrated CDCl(3) solutions of the neutral free base form of this prodiginine derivative. DFT calculations and the solid state structures of the hydrochloric and methanesulfonic acid salts were in good agreement with the results observed in solution. A complete study of the relative energies of different tautomers, isomers, and supramolecular complexes supported the preference for the β conformation both in water and in the gas phase.

Topics: Crystallography, X-Ray; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Prodigiosin

Bacterially produced secondary metabolites are used as antibiotics, anticancer drugs, and for many other medicinal applications. The mechanisms that limit the production of these molecules in the laboratory are not well understood, and this has impeded the discovery of many important compounds. We have identified small molecules that remodel the yields of secondary metabolites in many actinomycetes and show that one set of these molecules does so by inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis. This demonstrates a particularly intimate relationship between this primary metabolic pathway and secondary metabolism and suggests an approach to enhance the yields of metabolites for discovery and biochemical characterization.

Topics: Actinobacteria; Anthraquinones; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fatty Acids; Mass Spectrometry; Prodigiosin; Small Molecule Libraries; Spectrophotometry; Streptomyces coelicolor

Prodiginines are a family of linear and cyclic oligopyrrole red-pigmented compounds. Herein we describe the in vitro antimalarial activity of four natural (IC(50) = 1.7-8.0 nM) and three sets of synthetic prodiginines against Plasmodium falciparum. Set 1 compounds replaced the terminal nonalkylated pyrrole ring of natural prodiginines and had diminished activity (IC(50) > 2920 nM). Set 2 and set 3 prodiginines were monosubstituted or disubstituted at either the 3 or 5 position of the right-hand terminal pyrrole, respectively. Potent in vitro activity (IC(50) = 0.9-16.0 nM) was observed using alkyl or aryl substituents. Metacycloprodiginine and more potent synthetic analogues were evaluated in a P. yoelii murine patent infection using oral administration. Each analogue reduced parasitemia by more than 90% after 25 (mg/kg)/day dosing and in some cases provided a cure. The most favorable profile was 92% parasite reduction at 5 (mg/kg)/day, and 100% reduction at 25 (mg/kg)/day without any evident weight loses or clinical overt toxicity.

Topics: Animals; Antimalarials; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Female; Malaria; Mice; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium yoelii; Prodigiosin; Structure-Activity Relationship

Prodiginines are a class of red-pigmented natural products with immunosuppressant, anticancer, and antimalarial activities. Recent studies on prodiginine biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor have elucidated the function of many enzymes within the pathway. However, the function of RedJ, which was predicted to be an editing thioesterase based on sequence similarity, is unknown. We report here the genetic, biochemical, and structural characterization of the redJ gene product. Deletion of redJ in S. coelicolor leads to a 75% decrease in prodiginine production, demonstrating its importance for prodiginine biosynthesis. RedJ exhibits thioesterase activity with selectivity for substrates having long acyl chains and lacking a β-carboxyl substituent. The thioesterase has 1000-fold greater catalytic efficiency with substrates linked to an acyl carrier protein (ACP) than with the corresponding CoA thioester substrates. Also, RedJ strongly discriminates against the streptomycete ACP of fatty acid biosynthesis in preference to RedQ, an ACP of the prodiginine pathway. The 2.12 Å resolution crystal structure of RedJ provides insights into the molecular basis for the observed substrate selectivity. A hydrophobic pocket in the active site chamber is positioned to bind long acyl chains, as suggested by a long-chain ligand from the crystallization solution bound in this pocket. The accessibility of the active site is controlled by the position of a highly flexible entrance flap. These data combined with previous studies of prodiginine biosynthesis in S. coelicolor support a novel role for RedJ in facilitating transfer of a dodecanoyl chain from one acyl carrier protein to another en route to the key biosynthetic intermediate 2-undecylpyrrole.

Topics: Catalytic Domain; Crystallography, X-Ray; Kinetics; Models, Molecular; Prodigiosin; Sequence Deletion; Streptomyces coelicolor; Substrate Specificity; Thiolester Hydrolases

Synthetic prodiginine obatoclax shows promise as a potential anticancer drug. This compound promotes apoptosis of cancer cells, although the mechanism of action is unclear. To date, only the inhibition of BCL-2 proteins has been proposed as a mechanism of action. To gain insight into other possible modes of action, we have studied the anion-binding properties of obatoclax and related analogues in solution, in the solid state, and by means of density functional theory calculations. These compounds are well suited to interact with anions such as chloride and bicarbonate. The anion-transport properties of the compounds synthesized were assayed in model phospholipid liposomes by using a chloride-selective-electrode technique and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that these compounds are efficient anion exchangers that promote chloride, bicarbonate, and nitrate transport through lipid bilayers at very low concentrations. In vitro studies on small-cell lung carcinoma cell line GLC4 showed that active ionophores are able to discharge pH gradients in living cells and the cytotoxicity of these compounds correlates well with ionophoric activity.

Topics: Animals; Anions; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Biological Transport; Cattle; Cell Line, Tumor; Crystallography, X-Ray; Humans; Indoles; Ion Transport; Ionophores; Liposomes; Lung Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Prodigiosin; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Pyrroles; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The last step of proline biosynthesis is typically catalysed by the enzyme Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, encoded by the proC gene. Complete genome sequencing of Streptomyces coelicolor, a soil-dwelling Gram-positive bacterium that uses proline as a precursor for synthesis of prodiginine, revealed a single copy of this gene. Unexpectedly, disruption of this proC homologue (Sco3337) in S. coelicolor M145 yielded a prototrophic strain, yet the reductase activity of Sco3337 was confirmed by complementation of an Escherichia coli proC mutant. Multicopy proC within different genetic contexts elicited a transient production of prodiginines, which showed differential production kinetics of the two most common forms of this natural product produced by S. coelicolor, i.e. streptorubin B (cyclic) and undecylprodigiosin (linear). The metabolic and evolutionary implications of these observations are discussed.

Topics: Biological Evolution; delta-1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase; Gene Dosage; Genes, Bacterial; Mutation; Prodigiosin; Proline; Pyrroline Carboxylate Reductases; Streptomyces coelicolor

In the course of work aimed at the discovery of new pharmaceutical lead compounds from marine bacteria, a lipophilic extract of the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas rubra displayed significant cytotoxicity against SKOV-3, a human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line. Bioassay-directed fractionation of this extract resulted in the isolation of a series of known and new prodiginine-type azafulvenes. The structure of the major metabolite was elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data as a 2-substituted prodigiosin, which we named 2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)prodigiosin (HBPG).

Topics: Humans; Marine Biology; Molecular Structure; Prodigiosin; Pseudoalteromonas

Reports of anticancer and immunosuppressive properties have spurred recent interest in the bacterially produced prodiginines. We use electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) to investigate prodigiosin, undecylprodiginine, and streptorubin B (butyl-meta-cycloheptylprodiginine) and to explore their fragmentation pathways to explain the unusual methyl radical loss and consecutive fragment ions that dominate low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra. The competition between the formation of even-electron ions and radical ions is examined in detail. Theoretical calculations are used to optimize the structures and calculate the energies of both reactants and products using the Gaussian 03 program. Results indicate that protonation occurs on the nitrogen atom that initially held no hydrogen, thus allowing formation of a pseudo-seven-membered ring that constitutes the most stable ground state [M + H](+) structure. From this precursor, experimental data show that methyl radical loss has the lowest apparent threshold but, alternatively, even-electron fragment ions can be formed by loss of a methanol molecule. Computational modeling indicates that methyl radical loss is the more endothermic process in this competition, but the lower apparent threshold associated with methyl radical loss points to a lower kinetic barrier. Additionally, this characteristic and unusual loss of methyl radical (in combination with weaker methanol loss) from each prodiginine is useful for performing constant neutral loss scans to quickly and efficiently identify all prodiginines in a complex biological mixture without any clean-up or purification. The feasibility of this approach has been proven through the identification of a new, low-abundance prodigiosin analog arising from Hahella chejuensis.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Electrons; Ions; Molecular Structure; Pigments, Biological; Prodigiosin; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Thermodynamics

The red gene cluster of Streptomyces coelicolor directs production of undecylprodiginine. Here we report that this gene cluster also directs production of streptorubin B and show that 2-undecylpyrrole (UP) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of undecylprodiginine and streptorubin B. The redPQRKL genes are involved in UP biosynthesis. RedL and RedK are proposed to generate UP from dodecanoic acid or a derivative. A redK(-) mutant produces a hydroxylated undecylprodiginine derivative, whereas redL(-) and redK(-) mutants require addition of chemically synthesized UP for production of undecylprodiginine and streptorubin B. Fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes can provide dodecanoic acid, but efficient and selective prodiginine biosynthesis requires RedPQR. Deletion of redP, redQ, or redR leads to an 80%-95% decrease in production of undecylprodiginine and an array of prodiginine analogs with varying alkyl chains. In a redR(-) mutant, the ratio of these can be altered in a logical manner by feeding various fatty acids.

Topics: Biosynthetic Pathways; Multigene Family; Prodigiosin; Pyrroles; Sequence Deletion; Streptomyces coelicolor

Hahella chejuensis KCTC 2396 produces red pigments, showing antibacterial and algicidal activities. The main red-coloured metabolite of the pigments was identified as antibiotic prodigiosin. With the expectation that the red pigments are a mixture of a series of close relatives, the aim of the present study is to detect new antibiotic prodigiosin analogues and to analyse the biosynthetic pattern for prodiginines in KCTC 2396.. Except prodigiosin, the other constituents in the red pigments were confirmed as well-known dipyrrolyldipyrromethene prodigiosin, norprodigiosin, and undecylprodiginine. Additionally, four new prodigiosin analogues, each of which was distinguished from prodigiosin (C(5)), according to differences in alkyl chain length (C(3)-C(7)), were detected in small quantities by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry spectroscopy. Owing to the presence of a cytotoxic methoxy group, it is expected that all the new prodigiosin analogues are bioactive.. Four characterized prodiginines, including prodigiosin and four new prodigiosin analogues are produced in different ratio in KCTC 2396. All of the prodiginines possess a common linear tripyrrolyl structure and a cytotoxic methoxy group.. This study shows for the first time that KCTC 2396 is able to produce antibiotic prodigiosin, undecylprodiginine and new prodigiosin analogues in a mixture of pigments. It is also shown that KCTC 2396 possesses a novel system for the simultaneous production of multiple prodiginines in a single micro-organism.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Gammaproteobacteria; Pigments, Biological; Prodigiosin; Seawater

Bacterial prodiginines are a family of red-pigmented, tripyrrolic compounds that display numerous biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, immunosuppressive and anticancer properties. Recently, significant progress has been made in understanding the biosynthesis and regulation of bacterial prodiginines. An understanding of the biosynthesis of prodiginines will allow engineering of bacterial strains capable of synthesizing novel prodiginines through rational design and mutasynthesis experiments. Bacterial prodiginines and synthetic derivatives are effective proapoptotic agents with multiple cellular targets, and they are active against numerous cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant cells, with little or no toxicity towards normal cell lines. A synthetic derivative, GX15-070 (Obatoclax), developed through structure-activity relationship studies of the pyrrolic ring A of GX15, is in multiple Phase I and II clinical trials in both single and dual-agent studies to treat different types of cancer. Therefore, prodiginines have real therapeutic potential in the clinic.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bacteria; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Prodigiosin

The biosynthetic pathway to 4-methoxy-2,2'-bipyrrole-5-carboxaldehyde (MBC), a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of prodiginine antibiotics in Streptomyces coelicolor, has been elucidated using a combination of gene replacements and feeding experiments with chemically synthesised MBC and a synthetic analogue of a pathway intermediate.

Topics: Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces coelicolor

The enzyme RedP is thought to initiate the biosynthesis of the undecylpyrolle component of the antibiotic undecylprodiginine produced by Streptomyces coelicolor. RedP has homology to FabH, which initiates fatty acid biosynthesis by condensing the appropriate acyl-CoA starter unit with malonyl ACP. We have generated a redP-deletion mutant of S. coelicolor M511 (SJM1) and shown that it produces reduced levels of prodiginines and two new analogs, methylundecylprodiginine and methyldodecylprodiginine. Incorporation studies with perdeuterated valine were consistent with these being generated using methylbutyryl-CoA and isobutyryl-CoA as starter units, respectively. Plasmid-based expression of a streptomycete fabH in the SJM1 mutant led to restoration of overall prodiginine titers but the same overall ratio of undecylprodiginines and novel prodiginines. Thus, the redP FabH can be replaced by FabH enzymes with different substrate specificities and provides a method for generating novel prodiginines.

Topics: 3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Synthase; Culture Media; Mass Spectrometry; Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; Prodigiosin; Streptomyces coelicolor

Prodiginines are a large family of pigmented oligopyrrole antibiotics with medicinal potential as immunosuppressants and antitumour agents that are produced by several actinomycetes and other eubacteria. Recently, a gene cluster in Streptomyces coelicolor encoding the biosynthesis of undecylprodiginine and butyl-meta-cycloheptylprodiginine has been sequenced.. Using sequence comparisons, functions have been assigned to the majority of the genes in the cluster, several of which encode homologues of enzymes involved in polyketide, non-ribosomal peptide, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Based on these assignments, a complete pathway for undecylprodiginine and butyl-meta-cycloheptylprodiginine biosynthesis in S. coelicolor has been deduced. Gene knockout experiments have confirmed the deduced roles of some of the genes in the cluster.. The analysis presented provides a framework for a general understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of prodiginine biosynthesis, which should stimulate rational approaches to the engineered biosynthesis of novel prodiginines with improved immunosuppressant or antitumour activities. In addition, new mechanisms for chain initiation and termination catalysed by hitherto unobserved domains in modular multienzyme systems have been deduced.

Topics: Gene Deletion; Gene Order; Genes, Bacterial; Multienzyme Complexes; Multigene Family; Physical Chromosome Mapping; Pigments, Biological; Point Mutation; Prodigiosin; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Pyrroles; Streptomyces