Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Non-ribosomal Peptide Synthetases

Biocatalytic synthesis of peptidic natural products and related analogues

Peptidic natural products (PNPs) represent a rich source of lead compounds for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of a variety of diseases. However, the chemical synthesis of PNPs with diverse modifications for drug research is often faced with significant challenges, including the unavailability of constituent nonproteinogenic amino acids, inefficient cyclization protocols, and poor compatibility with other functional groups. Advances in the understanding of PNP biosynthesis and biocatalysis provide a promising, sustainable alternative for the synthesis of these compounds and their analogues. Here we discuss current progress in using native and engineered biosynthetic enzymes for the production of both ribosomally and nonribosomally synthesized peptides. In addition, we highlight new in vitro and in vivo approaches for the generation and screening of PNP libraries.

Targeting adenylate-forming enzymes with designed sulfonyladenosine inhibitors

Adenylate-forming enzymes are a mechanistic superfamily that are involved in diverse biochemical pathways. They catalyze ATP-dependent activation of carboxylic acid substrates as reactive acyl adenylate (acyl-AMP) intermediates and subsequent coupling to various nucleophiles to generate ester, thioester, and amide products. Inspired by natural products, acyl sulfonyladenosines (acyl-AMS) that mimic the tightly bound acyl-AMP reaction intermediates have been developed as potent inhibitors of adenylate-forming enzymes. This simple yet powerful inhibitor design platform has provided a wide range of biological probes as well as several therapeutic lead compounds. Herein, we provide an overview of the nine structural classes of adenylate-forming enzymes and examples of acyl-AMS inhibitors that have been developed for each.