Engineering fatty acid synthases for directed polyketide production
February 20th, 2017 by Jan Gajewski
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 363 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2314
Authors: Jan Gajewski, Floris Buelens, Sascha Serdjukow, Melanie Janßen, Niña Cortina, Helmut Grubmüller & Martin Grininger
In this study, we engineered fatty acid synthases (FAS) for the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids and polyketides, guided by a combined in vitro and in silico approach. Along with exploring the synthetic capability of FAS, we aim to build a foundation for efficient protein engineering, with the specific goal of harnessing evolutionarily related megadalton-scale polyketide synthases (PKS) for the tailored production of bioactive natural compounds.
Expanding the product portfolio of fungal type I fatty acid synthases
February 20th, 2017 by Zhiwei Zhu
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 360 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2301
Authors: Zhiwei Zhu, Yongjin J Zhou, Anastasia Krivoruchko, Martin Grininger, Zongbao K Zhao & Jens Nielsen
Fungal type I fatty acid synthases (FASs) are mega-enzymes with two separated, identical compartments, in which the acyl carrier protein (ACP) domains shuttle substrates to catalytically active sites embedded in the chamber wall. We devised synthetic FASs by integrating heterologous enzymes into the reaction chambers and demonstrated their capability to convert acyl-ACP or acyl-CoA from canonical fatty acid biosynthesis to short/medium-chain fatty acids and methyl ketones.
G-Protein-coupled receptors: Decoding mixed signals
February 15th, 2017 by Thomas J Gardella
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 247 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2316
Author: Thomas J Gardella
A new mechanism of functional crosstalk between two distinct G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)—the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR) and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2 Ar)—that occurs at the level of G protein βγ subunits and a specific adenylyl cyclase isoform is identified. This crosstalk augments cAMP signaling by the PTHR from endosomes, and thus promotes the actions of PTH ligands in bone target cells.
Metabolism: A-way with biofilms
February 15th, 2017 by Mirella Bucci
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 243 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2325
Author: Mirella Bucci
Plant infection: A decoy tactic
February 15th, 2017 by Grant Miura
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 243 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2322
Author: Grant Miura
Enzyme mechanisms: Fickle about fluorine
February 15th, 2017 by Caitlin Deane
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 243 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2324
Author: Caitlin Deane
Synthetic biology: Synthetic gene networks that smell
February 15th, 2017 by Fahim Farzadfard
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 245 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2315
Authors: Fahim Farzadfard & Timothy K Lu
Bioengineers have endowed a consortium of human cells with an artificial sense of smell, enabling the cells to detect, quantify, and remember the presence of gaseous volatile compounds in their environment.
mRNA localization: If you have to ASH
February 15th, 2017 by Joshua M. Finkelstein
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 243 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2323
Author: Joshua M. Finkelstein
Accelerating the semisynthesis of alkaloid-based drugs through metabolic engineering
February 15th, 2017 by Amy M Ehrenworth
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 249 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2308
Authors: Amy M Ehrenworth & Pamela Peralta-Yahya
The GlcN6P cofactor plays multiple catalytic roles in the glmS ribozyme
February 13th, 2017 by Jamie L Bingaman
Nature Chemical Biology 13, 439 (2017). doi:10.1038/nchembio.2300
Authors: Jamie L Bingaman, Sixue Zhang, David R Stevens, Neela H Yennawar, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer & Philip C Bevilacqua