Analyses of MbtB, MbtE, and MbtF suggest revisions to the mycobactin biosynthesis pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: The production of mycobactin (MBT) by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential for this bacterium to access iron when it is in an infected host. Due to this essential function, there is considerable interest in deciphering the mechanism of MBT assembly, with the goal of targeting select biosynthetic steps for antituberculosis drug development. The proposed scheme for MBT biosynthesis involves assembly of the MBT backbone by a hybrid nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)/polyketide synthase (PKS) megasynthase followed by the tailoring of this backbone by N(6) acylation of the central l-Lys residue and subsequent N(6)-hydroxylation of the central N(6)-acyl-l-Lys and the terminal caprolactam. A complete testing of this hypothesis has been hindered by the inability to heterologously produce so

SUBMITTER: McMahon MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3370630 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature