Themed collection Looking Inside Biosynthetic Machines
Architecture of full-length type I modular polyketide synthases revealed by X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and AlphaFold2
Structures of intact polyketide synthase modules reveal conformational rearrangements and suggest asynchronous use of reaction chambers.
Nat. Prod. Rep., 2024,41, 1219-1234
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NP00060E
Structural enzymology of iterative type I polyketide synthases: various routes to catalytic programming
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the structural enzymology of type I iPKSs, focusing on the individual domain structures, catalytic mechanisms and the representative programming activities that each domain contributes.
Nat. Prod. Rep., 2023,40, 1498-1520
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NP00015J
Cyanophycin and its biosynthesis: not hot but very cool
Cyanophycin is a widespread natural biopolymer with promising green chemistry applications that is made by an elegant, multifunctional biosynthetic machine.
Nat. Prod. Rep., 2023,40, 1479-1497
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NP00092J
Structural advances toward understanding the catalytic activity and conformational dynamics of modular nonribosomal peptide synthetases
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases use a modular architecture to catalyze production of peptide natural products. Structural studies provide insights into the multidomain organization as well as the structural basis of catalytic domain activity.
Nat. Prod. Rep., 2023,40, 1550-1582
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NP00003F
S-Adenosylmethionine: more than just a methyl donor
This review summarizes the chemistry of S-adenosylmethionine dependent enzymes that goes beyond methylation.
Nat. Prod. Rep., 2023,40, 1521-1549
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NP00086E
About this collection
This themed issue is guest edited by Adrian Keatinge-Clay and Janet Smith and aims to highlight the advances and importance in understanding how biosynthetic enzymes work.