Authors

Seiji Kawai, Yuko Sugaya, Ryota Hagihara, Hiroya Tomita, Yohei Katsuyama*, and Yasuo Ohnishi

Abstract

DON (6‐Diazo‐5‐oxo‐L‐norleucine), a diazo‐containing amino acid, has been studied for more than 60 years as a potent antitumor agent, but its biosynthesis has not been elucidated. Here we reveal the complete biosynthetic pathway of alazopeptin, the tripeptide Ala–DON–DON which has antitumor activity, by gene inactivation and in vitro analysis of recombinant enzymes. We also established heterologous production of N‐acetyl‐DON in Streptomyces albus. DON is synthesized from lysine by three enzymes and converted to alazopeptin by five enzymes and one carrier protein. Most interestingly, transmembrane protein AzpL was indicated to catalyze diazotization using 5‐oxolysine and nitrous acid as substrates. Site‐directed mutagenesis of AzpL indicated that the hydroxy group of Tyr‐93 is important for the diazotization. These findings expand our knowledge of the enzymology of N–N bond formation.

Paper Information

Journal
: Angewandte Chemie International Edition
DOI
: 10.1002/anie.202100462
: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202100462