Issue 30, 2023

Incorporation and modification of fatty acids in cyanobacterial natural products biosynthesis

Abstract

Fatty acid-derived alkyl chains are often found in natural products, where they can exert a number of different functions, most notably biological membrane interactions. Such alkyl chains are difficult to modify regio- and stereoselectively, since most positions are distant from any directing functional group. Chemical and biochemical diversification of these moieties is therefore a challenge, and most organisms do not modify alkyl moieties to a great extent. Still, one particular group of microorgansims – cyanobacteria – display not only a large number of fatty acid-incorporating natural products, but also modify these to a great extent. Here, we provide an overview of the unique fatty acid metabolism of cyanobacteria in the context of natural products biosynthesis. We cover the diverse range of fatty acid incorporation mechanisms that these organisms use to recruit and commit fatty acids to natural products biosynthetic pathways. A variety of alkyl chain decorations and modifications that are found in cyanobacterial natural products are highlighted, illustrating the rich enzymatic arsenal that these organisms have evolved to diversify fatty acid-derived alkyl chains.

Graphical abstract: Incorporation and modification of fatty acids in cyanobacterial natural products biosynthesis

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
10 1 2023
Accepted
10 3 2023
First published
24 3 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Commun., 2023,59, 4436-4446

Incorporation and modification of fatty acids in cyanobacterial natural products biosynthesis

P. N. Leão, T. P. Martins, K. Abt, J. P. A. Reis, S. Figueiredo, R. Castelo-Branco and S. Freitas, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 4436 DOI: 10.1039/D3CC00136A

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