1
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Harris LA, Saad H, Shelton KE, Zhu L, Guo X, Mitchell DA. Tryptophan-Centric Bioinformatics Identifies New Lasso Peptide Modifications. Biochemistry 2024; 63:865-879. [PMID: 38498885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Lasso peptides are a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) defined by a macrolactam linkage between the N-terminus and the side chain of an internal aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue. Instead of adopting a branched-cyclic conformation, lasso peptides are "threaded", with the C-terminal tail passing through the macrocycle to present a kinetically trapped rotaxane conformation. The availability of enhanced bioinformatics methods has led to a significant increase in the number of secondary modifications found on lasso peptides. To uncover new ancillary modifications in a targeted manner, a bioinformatic strategy was developed to discover lasso peptides with modifications to tryptophan. This effort identified numerous putative lasso peptide biosynthetic gene clusters with core regions of the precursor peptides enriched in tryptophan. Parsing of these tryptophan (Trp)-rich biosynthetic gene clusters uncovered several putative ancillary modifying enzymes, including halogenases and dimethylallyltransferases expected to act upon Trp. Characterization of two gene products yielded a lasso peptide with two 5-Cl-Trp modifications (chlorolassin) and another bearing 5-dimethylallyl-Trp and 2,3-didehydro-Tyr modifications (wygwalassin). Bioinformatic analysis of the requisite halogenase and dimethylallyltransferase revealed numerous other putative Trp-modified lasso peptides that remain uncharacterized. We anticipate that the Trp-centric strategy reported herein may be useful in discovering ancillary modifications for other RiPP classes and, more generally, guide the functional prediction of enzymes that act on specific amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie A Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hamada Saad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kyle E Shelton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Lingyang Zhu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Xiaorui Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Douglas A Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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2
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Lopatniuk M, Riedel F, Wildfeuer J, Stierhof M, Dahlem C, Kiemer AK, Luzhetskyy A. Development of a Streptomyces-based system for facile thioholgamide library generation and analysis. Metab Eng 2023; 78:48-60. [PMID: 37142115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Derivatizing natural products (NPs) is essential in structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, compound optimization, and drug development. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) represent one of the major classes of natural products. Thioholgamide represents thioamitide - a recently emerged family of RiPPs with unique structures and great potential in anticancer drug development. Although the method for generating the RiPP library by codon substitutions in the precursor peptide gene is straightforward, the techniques to perform RiPP derivatization in Actinobacteria remain limited and time-consuming. Here, we report a facile system for producing a library of randomized thioholgamide derivatives utilizing an optimized Streptomyces host. This technique enabled us to access all possible amino acid substitutions of the thioholgamide molecule, one position at a time. Out of 152 potential derivatives, 85 were successfully detected, revealing the impact of amino acid substitutions on thioholgamide post-translational modifications (PTMs). Moreover, new PTMs were observed among thioholgamide derivatives: thiazoline heterocycles, which have not yet been reported for thioamitides, and S-methylmethionine, which is very rare in nature. The obtained library was subsequently used for thioholgamide SAR studies and stability assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopatniuk
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Florian Riedel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Julia Wildfeuer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marc Stierhof
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Charlotte Dahlem
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alexandra K Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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Sikandar A, Lopatniuk M, Luzhetskyy A, Müller R, Koehnke J. Total In Vitro Biosynthesis of the Thioamitide Thioholgamide and Investigation of the Pathway. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:5136-5144. [PMID: 35263083 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Thioholgamides are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs), with potent activity against cancerous cell lines and an unprecedented structure. Despite being one of the most structurally and chemically complex RiPPs, very few biosynthetic steps have been elucidated. Here, we report the complete in vitro reconstitution of the biosynthetic pathway. We demonstrate that thioamidation is the first step and acts as a gatekeeper for downstream processing. Thr dehydration follows thioamidation, and our studies reveal that both these modifications require the formation of protein complexes─ThoH/I and ThoC/D. Harnessing the power of AlphaFold, we deduce that ThoD acts as a lyase and also proposes putative catalytic residues. ThoF catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of the terminal Cys, and the subsequent macrocyclization is facilitated by ThoE. This is followed by Ser dehydration, which is also carried out by ThoC/D. ThoG is responsible for histidine bis-N-methylation, which is a prerequisite for His β-hydroxylation─a modification carried out by ThoJ. The last step of the pathway is the removal of the leader peptide by ThoK to afford mature thioholgamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfandyar Sikandar
- Department of Microbial Natural Products (MINS), Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University (UdS), Campus E8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Maria Lopatniuk
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Department of Microbial Natural Products (MINS), Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University (UdS), Campus E8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jesko Koehnke
- Workgroup Structural Biology of Biosynthetic Enzymes, HIPS, HZI, UdS, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.,School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
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4
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Hu L, Qiao Y, Liu J, Zheng C, Wang X, Sun P, Gu Y, Liu W. Characterization of Histidine Functionalization and Its Timing in the Biosynthesis of Ribosomally Synthesized and Posttranslationally Modified Thioamitides. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:4431-4438. [PMID: 35230829 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c11669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Thioamitides are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products that hold great potential in anticancer drug development. Members in this RiPP family feature a thioamidated peptidyl chain conjugated with a macrocyclic ring system that contains two nonproteinogenic residues, 2-aminovinyl-cysteine (AviCys) and β-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-l-histidine (hdmHis). Focusing on the hdmHis residue that is unique to thioamitides, we report the enzymatic process for His functionalization and, more importantly, the timing of its related reactions with the other posttranslational modifications (PTMs) involved in thioamitide biosynthesis. His functionalization involves the activities of an S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent protein and a 2-oxoglutarate-Fe(II) monooxygenase for His bis-N-dimethylation and subsequent β-hydroxylation in a highly ordered manner. This process relies on the leader peptide sequence of the precursor peptide and on the establishment of the AviCys-containing, C-terminal macrocyclic ring system in particular. In contrast, prior peptide thioamidation is not required. Knowledge gained from the catalytic logic, specificity, and compatibility of His functionalization greatly furthers our understanding of the process through which nature develops thioamitides from a ribosomally synthesized peptide precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jingyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Peng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guo-he Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yucheng Gu
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6EY, U.K
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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5
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Xiong J, Luo S, Qin CX, Cui JJ, Ma YX, Guo MX, Zhang SS, Li Y, Gao K, Dong SH. Biochemical Reconstitution Reveals the Biosynthetic Timing and Substrate Specificity for Thioamitides. Org Lett 2022; 24:1518-1523. [PMID: 35170977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thioamitides are apoptosis-inducing ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) with substantial post-translational modifications (PTMs), whose biosynthetic details remain elusive. We reconstituted their key PTMs through in vitro enzymatic reactions and gene coexpressions in E. coli and rigorously demonstrated the order of those modifications. Notably, thioamitide biosynthesis involves N- to C-terminal thioamidations and employs both leader-dependent and leader-independent reactions followed by leader removal by successive degradation. Our study provides a comprehensive overview of thioamitide biosynthesis and lays the foundation for thioamitide engineering in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangwen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Xiao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Xia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Xue Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha-Sha Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Li
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
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6
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Eyles TH, Vior NM, Lacret R, Truman AW. Understanding thioamitide biosynthesis using pathway engineering and untargeted metabolomics. Chem Sci 2021; 12:7138-7150. [PMID: 34123341 PMCID: PMC8153245 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06835g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thiostreptamide S4 is a thioamitide, a family of promising antitumour ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The thioamitides are one of the most structurally complex RiPP families, yet very few thioamitide biosynthetic steps have been elucidated, even though the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of multiple thioamitides have been identified. We hypothesised that engineering the thiostreptamide S4 BGC in a heterologous host could provide insights into its biosynthesis when coupled with untargeted metabolomics and targeted mutations of the precursor peptide. Modified BGCs were constructed, and in-depth metabolomics enabled a detailed understanding of the biosynthetic pathway to thiostreptamide S4, including the identification of a protein critical for amino acid dehydration that has homology to HopA1, an effector protein used by a plant pathogen to aid infection. We use this biosynthetic understanding to bioinformatically identify diverse RiPP-like BGCs, paving the way for future RiPP discovery and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom H Eyles
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7UH UK
| | - Natalia M Vior
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7UH UK
| | - Rodney Lacret
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7UH UK
| | - Andrew W Truman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7UH UK
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