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PubMed1981

[Biosynthesis of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids from [1-14C]acetyl-CoA and [2-14C]malonyl-CoA in a reconstituted system from the rat liver].

The possibility of biosynthesis of cholic (I) and chenodeoxycholic (II) acids from [1-14C]acetyl-CoA and [2-14C]malonyl-CoA in a reconstituted system of rat liver and the incorporation of acetyl-CoA into these bile acids under conditions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase activation by citrate or its inhibition by avidin were studied. The effects of Triton WR 1339 and cholesterol feeding on acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA incorporation into I and II were investigated. Teh incorporation of both substrates into the total unsaponifiable lipid fraction and fatty acids was demonstrated. The reconstituted system of rat liver was found able to synthesize and I and II not only from acetyl-CoA, but from malonyl-CoA as well. The rate of malonyl-CoA incorporation into the bile acids was somewhat higher than that of acetyl-CoA incorporation. Preincubation of the reconstituted system with citrate stimulated the rate of acetyl-CoA incorporation into I. Stimulation of biosynthesis of I occurred independently of the diurnal rhythm of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) activity. An addition of avidin to the reconstituted system preincubated with citrate caused inhibition of acetyl-CoA incorporation both into fatty acids and into I. The rate of biosynthesis of II remained practically unchanged in both cases. Treatment with Triton WR 1339 had only a slight effect, while cholesterol feeding significantly stimulated the incorporation of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA into I and II. The results obtained suggest the participation of malonyl-CoA in formation of bile acids, preferentially cholic acid, and in a lesser degree, in sterol biosynthesis. Data from stimulation of bile acid biosynthesis under cholesterol feeding suggest that HMG-CoA reductase localized in the soluble fraction of rat liver is involved in bile acid biosynthesis.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗
PubMed1996

Potentiation by apamin of histamine-stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

The effects of small-conductance Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel (SK channel) blocker, apamin, on histamine-stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were investigated. Histamine (10(-10)-10(-6) M) stimulated [14C]catecholamine biosynthesis from [14C]tyrosine (but not from [14C]DOPA). Apamin (10(-6) M) enhanced the histamine-stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis, which was abolished by omission of extracellular Ca2+. Histamine increased the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and this increased [Ca2+]i was potentiated by the presence of apamin. The increase in histamine-stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis with apamin was sensitive to the inhibitors of protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase. Apamin increased the histamine-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. These results suggest that in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells the inhibition of SK channel results in potentiation of catecholamine biosynthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation induced by histamine and that these stimulatory effects may result from the activation of protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase through an increase in [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Biosynthesis of insulin and glucagon: a view of the current state of the art.

It is now well established that insulin biosynthesis proceeds through a precursor molecule, proinsulin. This single polypeptide chain form has been identified as a ribosomal product in the microsomal fraction from islet tissues. The newly synthesized peptide chain, after folding and thiol oxidation, is transferred to the Golgi apparatus where it begins to undergo proteolytic processing to insulin and packaging into secretory granules. The secretion from the cells of significant amounts of newly synthesized material by exocytosis begins only one hour or more after biosynthesis and this process is regulated by several factors, including glucose. Foci of current attention discussed in this paper include (1) the possible existence of larger precursor forms than proinsulin, especially short-lived biosynthetic transients with extended NH2-termini analogous to the recently described immunoglobulin L chain and proparathyroid hormone precursors; (2) the large-scale production of insulin by chemical or genetic engineering approaches; (3) isolation of beta-cell plasma membranes; (4) regulatory mechanisms for the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin, the possible role of mRNA modification in this process, and effects of somatostatin on insulin biosynthesis and secretion; (5) studies on the secretion, metabolism and clinical usefulness of the proinsulin C-peptide; (6) finally, the biosynthesis of glucagon and other peptide hormones and the general significance of precursor forms.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1978

Fatty acid biosynthesis in yeast.

Fatty acid synthetase and acetyl CoA carboxylase mutants have been used to study several aspects of fatty acid biosynthesis in yeast: the contribution of the various enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis and modification to the overall cellular fatty acid composition, the mechanism of fatty acyl chain elongation in yeast, the molecular structure and the reaction mechanism of the fatty acid synthetase complex and the genetic control of the biosynthesis of this multi-enzyme system. Genetic and biochemical evidence suggest an alpha6beta6 molecular structure of this complex, where alpha and beta are multifunctional proteins comprising, respectively, 3 and 5 of the various fatty acid synthetase component functions. The two subunits alpha and beta are synthesized on two different, unliked genes, fas 2 and fas 1. The biosynthesis of both is coordinated. The various component enzyme activities reside in distinct domains on the multifunctional chains. While most domains appear to be functionally independent, the three acyl transferases exhibit extensive mutual interactions. It is suggested that the biosynthesis of a multifunctional protein is favoured on the grounds of kinetics and regulation as compared with the formation of a complex of the corresponding individual enzymes.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗
PubMed2006

Exendin 4 controls insulin production in rat islet beta cells predominantly by potentiation of glucose-stimulated proinsulin biosynthesis at the translational level.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Ideally, a therapeutic insulin secretagogue should coordinately increase insulin production and insulin secretion to maintain islet beta cell secretory capacity. We compared the incretin mimetic exendin 4 and the sulfonylurea glibenclamide (known as glyburide in the USA and Canada) for their effects in upholding a balance between (pro)insulin biosynthesis and insulin secretion in pancreatic islets. METHODS: Isolated rat islets were incubated for 1 or 16 h over a range of glucose concentrations (2.8-16.7 mmol/l) with or without exendin 4 (10 nmol/l) or glibenclamide (1 micromol/l). Islets were then analysed for preproinsulin mRNA expression by RNase protection and quantitative real-time RT-PCR assays. Proinsulin biosynthesis was analysed by metabolic pulse-radiolabelling, immunoprecipitation and PAGE. Insulin secretion and insulin content were analysed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Neither exendin 4 nor glibenclamide affected islet preproinsulin mRNA expression. However, exendin 4 significantly increased glucose-induced proinsulin biosynthesis at the translational level within 1 h, in marked contrast to glibenclamide, which inhibited proinsulin biosynthesis, especially at basal and intermediate glucose concentrations. Exendin 4 potentiated insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, whereas glibenclamide stimulated insulin secretion independently of glucose. Exendin 4 better maintained rat islet insulin content compared with glibenclamide, which depleted intracellular stores of insulin in islet beta cells by 40% within 16 h. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Exendin 4 maintains insulin stores and beta cell secretory capacity primarily by translational control of proinsulin biosynthesis in parallel to insulin secretion. Glibenclamide does not regulate insulin production in coordination with stimulated insulin secretion, and consequently depletes islet insulin stores, compromising secretory capacity. Thus, at the level of the beta cell, incretin mimetics have an advantage over sulfonylureas for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Regulation of insulin biosynthesis in vivo by glucose in the newborn rat.

The effects of glucose on insulin biosynthesis in vivo were investigated in the 3-day-old rat. The extent of insulin synthesized was determined by following the incorporation of 3H-leucine into immunoreactive insulin (3H-IRI) and pancreatic proteins (3H-PROT). Blood glucose levels increased 2.3 +/- 0.2 g/liter and plasma insulin increased 208 +/- 10 muU/ml after an intraperitoneal injection of 3H-leucine plus glucose (2 g/kg, body wt) in neonates. Hyperglycemia resulted in a decrease of basal plasma specific radioactivity of leucine and 3H-PROT radioactivity by about 40%. Determination of the 3H-IRI/3H-PROT incorporation ratio shows that the glucose load induced a significant stimulation of insulin biosynthesis 120 min after the injections. The present data indicate that (1) short-term variations of blood glucose are efficient in the regulation of insulin biosynthesis, and (2) insulin biosynthesis in vivo is likely to operate at a basal level of blood glucose in the 3-day-old rat. The results suggested that the variations of blood glucose in a concentration range found under physiologic conditions may play a role in the regulation of insulin biosynthesis in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of nerve growth factor on the biosynthesis of chromogranin A and B, secretogranin II and carboxypeptidase H in rat PC12 cells.

We investigated the biosynthesis of various constituents (chromogranins A and B, secretogranin II, carboxypeptidase H and synaptin/synaptophysin) of large dense core and small vesicles in PC12 cells. These cells were treated for up to 18 days with nerve growth factor. Peptide levels were determined by quantitative immunoblotting, their mRNAs by Northern blotting. Nerve growth factor treatment changed the levels of the various peptides investigated and their mRNAs in three patterns. Peptide and mRNA levels for chromogranin A and chromogranin B were increased on day 1 and then declined. Synaptin/synaptophysin levels slightly decreased from day 1 onwards. On the other hand secretogranin II increased steadily up to 217% for peptide levels and 257% for mRNA levels. For carboxypeptidase H for which only the mRNA could be determined an analogous behaviour was seen. Its mRNA after 14 days of nerve growth factor treatment was 459% of controls. These results establish that the biosynthesis of the secretory proteins chromogranin A, chromogranin B and secretogranin II is regulated differentially during nerve growth factor treatment. We suggest that neuronal differentiation is accompanied by an increased biosynthesis of secretogranin II. For carboxypeptidase H, the marked increase in mRNA levels after nerve growth factor treatment is the first example that the biosynthesis of this peptide is significantly up-regulated. Synaptin/synaptophysin biosynthesis is not increased although this peptide is a major constituent of small vesicles which increase in number during nerve growth factor treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Coordinated use of three homocysteine methyltransferases supports l-methionine biosynthesis and environmental adaptation among plant-associated bacteria.

Plant pathogens colonize multiple plant-associated habitats throughout their life cycle, encountering distinct nutrient conditions and microbial communities. l-methionine is required for bacterial growth and environmental adaptation. However, how plant pathogens coordinate l-methionine biosynthetic pathways to adapt to different plant-associated environments remains poorly understood. Here, using the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strain XC1 as a model, we show that three homocysteine methyltransferase pathways allow XC1 to catalyze the final step of l-methionine biosynthesis using different methyl donors and cofactors under different environmental conditions. Bioinformatic and transcriptional analyses identified three homocysteine methyltransferase-associated operons in XC1, mesMXD, mmuPM, and metHRHaHb, corresponding to the MesD-, MmuM-, and MetHaHb-dependent pathways, respectively. MesD uses an endogenously synthesized methyl donor and functions as the dominant homocysteine methyltransferase under l-methionine-limiting conditions, supporting bacterial growth, intracellular l-methionine accumulation, and full virulence. Furthermore, MmuM enables XC1 to use plant-derived S-methylmethionine for l-methionine biosynthesis, whereas MetHaHb enables XC1 to use vitamin B12 supplied by a neighboring bacterium for l-methionine biosynthesis in co-culture. Expression analyses showed that mesMXD was the only homocysteine methyltransferase-associated operon that responded to l-methionine availability, and its expression also decreased when S-methylmethionine- or vitamin B12-dependent pathways supported l-methionine biosynthesis. Comparative genomic analysis further showed that the three-homocysteine methyltransferase configuration is conserved in Xanthomonas and is also present in other plant-associated bacteria. Together, these findings show that a plant pathogen can coordinate endogenous, plant-derived, and microbially supported homocysteine methyltransferase pathways to maintain l-methionine biosynthesis, providing a metabolic strategy for adaptation to plant-associated environments.

Methionine↗
PubMed1991

Interleukin-1 beta induces an early decrease in insulin release, (pro)insulin biosynthesis and insulin mRNA in mouse pancreatic islets by a mechanism dependent on gene transcription and protein synthesis.

In an attempt to further characterize the mechanisms of action of recombinant interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) on mouse pancreatic islets, islets were exposed for different periods of time (6, 12 and 24 h) to 50 U/ml rIL-1 beta. After 6 h there was already a significant decrease in glucose (16.7 mM)-induced insulin release. This was followed at 12 h by a decrease in insulin mRNA contents and (pro)insulin biosynthesis and, after 24 h, by a decrease in islet insulin contents. There was no decrease in total protein biosynthesis or DNA contents in any of the studied time points and the glucose oxidation rates were not affected by rIL-1 beta after 12 h of exposure. A similar inhibition of insulin release, (pro)insulin biosynthesis and insulin mRNA content was observed 12 h after a short (2 h) exposure of the islets to rIL-beta, suggesting that a brief exposure of mouse islets to the cytokine can modify their function for several hours. When islets were exposed for 12 h to 50 U/ml rIL-1 beta in the presence of either an inhibitor of gene transcription (actinomycin D) or an inhibitor of mRNA translation (cycloheximide) there was a complete protection against the suppressive effects of rIL-1 beta on insulin release, (pro)insulin biosynthesis and insulin mRNA contents. However, when islets were exposed for 2 h to rIL-1 beta in the presence of actinomycin D, and studied 12 h later, actinomycin counteracted the inhibitory effects of rIL-1 beta on insulin release, but not on (pro)insulin biosynthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The inhibitor of free radical processes decrease of protein biosynthesis in gun short wound tissues and weaken development of the general adaptation syndrome].

The dynamics of total protein biosynthesis and procollagen biosynthesis in skeletal muscle of injury tissues with the antioxidant BHT (dibunol) treatment and with common healing were studied. The obtained date indicate that the AO treatment reduce the rate of biosynthesis both the total proteins and procollagen at the 3th day of healing. Dibunol also considerably reduce the protein biosynthesis in adrenals and brake of corticosteroids biogenesis as measured by ESR-signals intensity of reduced adrenodoxine. AO treatment also reduce the protein biosynthesis in thymus, spleen and bone marrow. The lowering of functional activity of endocrine and immune systems indicate that the AO significantly inhibit the systemic reactions of organism induced by acute wound affect. It was suggested that as "primary mediator" of stress-reaction may be considered lipoperoxide radicals and decay products of lipohydroperoide.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Biosynthesis of collagen and its alterations in pathological states.

The biosynthesis of collagen involves a number of unique post-translational modifications which are catalyzed by many specific enzymes. The main steps in collagen biosynthesis are transcription and translation, hydroxylations of prolyl and lysyl residues, glycosylations of hydroxylysyl residues, chain association and disulphide bonding, triple helix formation, secretion of procollagen into the extracellular matrix, conversion of procollagen into collagen, specific aggregation of collagen molecules and crosslink formation. Information about these modifications has rapidly increased during recent years, and initial information is available about the regulation and possibilities of specific pharmacological control of collagen biosynthesis at the level of these stages. Elucidation of the biochemical defect in an inborn error of collagen biosynthesis in man was reported for the first time in 1972 and subsequently several additional defects have been characterized. Alterations in collagen biosynthesis are also found during growth and ageing, as well as in many acquired pathological states: data about the nature of such changes in now rapidly accumulating.

Aging↗
PubMed1988

Inhibition of basement membrane biosynthesis prevents angiogenesis.

GPA1734, an inhibitor of BM collagen biosynthesis, was investigated in the CAM model system for its effect on angiogenesis. Evaluation of angiogenesis was performed by placing a thin plastic coverslip inscribed with concentric circles on the CAM and counting the number of vessels intercepting the circles. The rate of BM collagen biosynthesis was monitored using [U-14C] proline incorporation into CAM proteins and determining the collagenase-digestible protein fraction. A marked depression in the vascular density was observed in the CAM area under a plastic disc containing GPA1734 as compared to control discs placed on the CAM about 1 cm apart from days 9 to 12 of incubation. A concomitant decrease in collagenous protein biosynthesis was observed in the area under the discs containing GPA1734 and [U-14C]proline as compared to control discs containing only the radiolabeled proline. The forementioned effects of GPA1734 on CAM were specific because no similar effects were observed with a closely related compound, 9,10-dihydroxy-7-methyl-benzo[b]quinolizinium bromide or with GPA1734 plus Fe++, which did not affect the rate of BM collagen biosynthesis. These results suggest that inhibitors of BM collagen biosynthesis prevent angiogenesis by interfering with the formation of an essential component of the vessel wall. The search for such inhibitors may be a new approach in the development of antiangiogenic agents.

2H-Benzo(a)quinolizin-2-ol, 2-Ethyl-1,3,4,6,7,11b-↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hormonal regulation of total RNA and protein biosynthesis in liver cell cultures of rats in the pre- and postnatal period of development].

The effects of several hormones on total RNA and protein biosynthesis were examined in primary cultures of liver cells obtained from rat fetuses on 21-22 days of gestation and from 3 week-old weanling rats. The intensity of biosynthesis processes was estimated by the incorporation of labeled precursors in macromolecules. Insulin, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3) stimulated RNA and protein biosynthesis in both types of cultures. These hormones enhanced total protein biosynthesis in fetal rat liver cells more efficiently than in hepatocytes of weanling rats. Somatotropin (growth hormone--GH) did not change total protein biosynthesis but notably increased RNA synthesis and the production of immunoreactive serum albumin. Experiments on fetal rat liver cell cultures showed that stimulating action of cortisol on RNA synthesis was synergistic in relation to the effects of insulin and GH. It has been concluded that fetal rat liver cell at the end gestation are able to respond adequately to anabolic action of the hormones.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Regulation of insulin biosynthesis in carp islets (Cyprinus carpio).

The biosynthesis of proinsulin was measured by the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine and phenylalanine into carp islet protein. Even in the absence of glucose or amino acids in the medium the share of proinsulin in the total protein biosynthesis amounted to 40% of the total incorporated [3H]-leucine during 2 h of incubation. Glucose increased the rate of total protein biosynthesis in carp islets by approximately 20%, but no preferential increase of proinsulin synthesis occurred in the presence of glucose. Furthermore leucine did not increase [3H]-phenylalanine incorporation into proinsulin. Cyproheptadine, a specific inhibitor of proinsulin biosynthesis in mammals, did not inhibit in carp islets. The total protein synthesis was strongly dependent on the temperature. The share of proinsulin synthesis decreased from 40% at 17 degrees C to 20% at 4 degrees C. Even more drastically, the conversion of proinsulin to insulin became slower at lower temperatures and was undetectable at 4 degrees C. The results indicate that in contrast to mammals, in islets of the poikilotherm carp, metabolic substrates may play a less important role that the temperature in the regulation of insulin biosynthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Purine biosynthesis in mutant mammalian cells.

De novo purine biosynthesis has been studied in lymphocyte cell lines established from Lesch-Nyhan patients deficient in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), in in vitro differentiating erythroleukaemic cell lines cloned from cells charactistic of virus-induced murine leukaemia, and in mutant hamster cells deficient in amidophosphoribosyltransferase. The relationship between cellular phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P) metabolism and the activity of the enzymes which catalyse the early steps of de novo purine biosynthesis has been explored. It was found that hamster cells deficient in amidophosphoribosyltransferase did not accumulate PP-ribose-P as do HGPRT-deficient cells. In these model systems, an accelerated rate of de novo purine biosynthesis tended to be associated with an increase in cellular PP-ribose-P cotent, but decreases in this rate results from the reduction in the activity of amidophosphoribosyltransferase. Regulation of ammonia-dependent de novo purine biosynthesis was similar to that of glutamine-dependent purine biosynthesis.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2001

TMOF-like factor controls the biosynthesis of serine proteases in the larval gut of Heliothis virescens.

Proteolytic enzyme biosynthesis in the midgut of the 4th instar larva of Heliothis virescens is cyclical. Protease activity increases immediately after the molt from the 3rd to the 4th instar larvae and declines just before the molt into the 5th instar. Characterization of the midgut proteases using soybean tryspin inhibitor (SBTI) Bowman Birk Inhibitor (BBI) 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzensulfonylfluoride (AEBSF) and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK) indicate that protease activity is mostly trypsinlike (80%) with a small amount of chymotrypsinlike activity (20%). Injections of late 3rd and 4th instar larval hemolymph into H. virescens larvae inhibited tryspin biosynthesis in the larval midgut. Similar results were obtained when highly purified 4th instar larval hemolymph that crossreacted with Aea-TMOF antisurm using ELISA was injected into 2nd instar larvae. Injections of Aea-TMOF and its analogues into 2nd instar, and Aea-TMOF alone into 4th instar larvae stopped trypsin biosynthesis 24 and 48 h after the injections, respectively. Injections of 4th instar H. virescens larval hemolymph into female Aedes aegypti that took a blood meal stopped trypsin biosynthesis and egg development. These results show that the biosynthesis of trypsin-like enzymes in the midgut of a lepidoptera is modulated with a hemolymph circulating TMOF-like factor that is closely related to Aea-TMOF. Arch.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Impact of external calcium and calcium sensors on ginsenoside Rb1 biosynthesis by Panax notoginseng cells.

The effects of external calcium concentrations on biosynthesis of ginsenoside Rb1 and several calcium signal sensors were quantitatively investigated in suspension cultures of Panax notoginseng cells. It was observed that the synthesis of intracellular ginsenoside Rb1 in 3-day incubation was dependent on the medium Ca2+ concentration (0-13 mM). At an optimal Ca2+ concentration of 8 mM, a maximal ginsenoside Rb1 content of 1.88 +/- 0.03 mg g(-1) dry weight was reached, which was about 60% and 25% higher than that at Ca2+ concentrations of 0 and 3 mM, respectively. Ca2+ feeding experiments confirmed the Ca2+ concentration-dependent Rb1 biosynthesis. In order to understand the mechanism of the signal transduction from external Ca2+ to ginsenoside biosynthesis, the intracellular content of calcium and calmodulin (CaM), activities of calcium/calmodulin-dependent NAD kinase (CCDNK) and calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK), and activity of a new biosynthetic enzyme of ginsenoside Rb1, i.e., UDPG:ginsenoside Rd glucosyltransferase (UGRdGT), in the cultured cells were all analyzed. The intracellular calcium content and CCDNK activity were increased with an increase of external Ca2+ concentration within 0-13 mM. In contrast, the CaM content and activities of CDPK and UGRdGT reached their highest levels at 8 mM of initial Ca2+ concentration, which was also optimal to the ginsenoside Rb1 synthesis. A similar Ca2+ concentration-dependency of the intracellular contents of calcium and CaM and activities of CCDNK, CDPK, and UGRdGT was confirmed in Ca2+ feeding experiments. Finally, a possible model on the effect of external calcium on ginsenoside Rb1 biosynthesis via the signal transduction pathway of CaM, CDPK, and UGRdGT is proposed. Regulation of external Ca2+ concentration is considered a useful strategy for manipulating ginsenoside Rb1 biosynthesis by P. notoginseng cells.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed2006

Deciphering the biosynthesis pathway of the antitumor thiocoraline from a marine actinomycete and its expression in two streptomyces species.

Thiocoraline is a thiodepsipeptide antitumor compound produced by two actinomycetes Micromonospora sp. ACM2-092 and Micromonospora sp. ML1, isolated from two marine invertebrates (a soft coral and a mollusc) found of the Indian Ocean coast of Mozambique. By using oligoprimers derived from nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) consensus sequences, six PCR fragments containing putative NRPS adenylation domains were amplified from the chromosome of Micromonospora sp. ML1. Insertional inactivation of each adenylation domain showed that two of them generated nonproducing mutants, thereby indicating that these domains were involved in thiocoraline biosynthesis. Sequencing of a 64.6 kbp DNA region revealed the presence of 36 complete open reading frames (ORFs) and two incomplete ones. Heterologous expression of a region of about 53 kbp, containing 26 of the ORFs, in Streptomyces albus and S. lividans led to the production of thiocoraline in these streptomycetes. Surprisingly, the identified gene cluster contains more NRPS modules than expected on the basis of the number of amino acids of thiocoraline. TioR and TioS would most probably constitute the NRPS involved in the biosynthesis of the thiocoraline backbone, according to the colinearity of the respective modules. It is proposed that two other NRPSs, TioY and TioZ, could be responsible for the biosynthesis of a small peptide molecule which could be involved in regulation of the biosynthesis of thicoraline in Micromonospora sp. ML1. In addition, a pathway is proposed for the biosynthesis of the unusual starter unit, 3-hydroxy-quinaldic acid.

Animals↗