Complete biosynthesis of the fungal alkaloid zinnimidine: Biochemical insights into the isoindolinone core formation.

ABSTRACT: Isoindolinone scaffold is widely presented in bioactive natural products and serves as a fundamental structure in pharmaceutical compounds. However, the key step of the isoindolinone core formation is not well-defined. In this study, we elucidated the complete biosynthetic pathway of the phytotoxic isoindolinone alkaloid zinnimidine, which was isolated from the cultures of various phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Alternaria. This was achieved through a systematic approach that integrated heterologous expression, feeding experiments, and enzymatic characterizations. Enzymes ZinADEF were identified as key catalysts involved in the biosynthesis of isoindolinone scaffold, directing the transformation from the 2-methyl benzoic acid-like tetraketide precursor to form the isoindolinone scaffold

SUBMITTER: Luo L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12268544 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature