A one-pot chemoenzymatic synthesis for the universal precursor of antidiabetes and antiviral bis-indolylquinones

Chem Biol. 2007 Jun;14(6):635-44. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2007.05.005.

Abstract

Bis-indolylquinones represent a class of fungal natural products that display antiretroviral, antidiabetes, or cytotoxic bioactivities. Recent advances in Aspergillus genomic mining efforts have led to the discovery of the tdiA-E-gene cluster, which is the first genetic locus dedicated to bis-indolylquinone biosynthesis. We have now genetically and biochemically characterized the enzymes TdiA (bis-indolylquinone synthetase) and TdiD (L-tryptophan:phenylpyruvate aminotransferase), which, together, confer biosynthetic abilities for didemethylasterriquinone D to Aspergillus nidulans. This compound is the universal intermediate for all bis-indolylquinones. In this biochemical study of a bis-indolylquinone synthetase and a fungal natural product transaminase, we present a one-pot chemoenzymatic protocol to generate didemethylasterriquinone D in vitro. As TdiA resembles a nonribosomal peptide synthetase, yet catalyzes carbon-carbon-bond formation, we discuss the implications for peptide synthetase chemistry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Aspergillus nidulans* / enzymology
  • Aspergillus nidulans* / genetics
  • Aspergillus nidulans* / metabolism
  • Catalysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Hypoglycemic Agents* / chemistry
  • Indolequinones / biosynthesis*
  • Indolequinones / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Multigene Family
  • Peptide Synthases* / genetics
  • Peptide Synthases* / metabolism
  • Tryptophan Transaminase* / genetics
  • Tryptophan Transaminase* / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Indolequinones
  • Tryptophan Transaminase
  • Peptide Synthases