Study on biosynthesis of natural products with diazo group

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25850048
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: KATSUYAMA Yohei 東京大学, 農学生命科学研究科, 講師 (50646437)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 天然物 / ジアゾ基 / 生合成 / 放線菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Several Streptomyces produce natural products containing a diazo group. Although some of these natural products possess important activities, biosynthetic pathway of a diazo group remained obscure. To get an insight into the diazo group biosynthesis, the cremeomycin biosynthetic pathway was elucidated. Cremeomycin biosynthetic gene cluster was cloned and expressed in a heterologous host. As a result, cremeomycin production was observed in the heterologous host. Gene inactivation experiments suggested using the heterologous host enabled to predict the biosynthetic pathway. In vitro analysis of recombinant enzymes involved in biosynthesis of cremeomycin revealed a novel nitrous acid biosynthetic pathway which is responsible for diazo group formation.

Free Research Field

天然物化学