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Combinations of the five polyketide synthase (PKS) genes for biosynthesis of tylosin in Streptomyces fradiae (tylG), spiramycin in Streptomyces ambofaciens (srmG), or chalcomycin in Streptomyces bikiniensis (chmG) were expressed in engineered hosts derived from a tylosin-producing strain of S. fradiae. Surprisingly efficient synthesis of compounds predicted from the expressed hybrid PKS was obtained. The post-PKS tailoring enzymes of tylosin biosynthesis acted efficiently on the hybrid intermediates with the exception of TylH-catalyzed hydroxylation of the methyl group at C14, which was efficient if C4 bore a methyl group, but inefficient if a methoxyl was present. Moreover, for some compounds, oxidation of the C6 ethyl side chain to an unprecedented carboxylic acid was observed. By also expressing chmH, a homolog of tylH from the chalcomycin gene cluster, efficient hydroxylation of the 14-methyl group was restored.

We have prepared several sets of glycopeptide analogues in order to probe the molecular basis for the activity of derivatives that overcome vanA resistance. The results described in this paper provide compelling evidence that good vanA activity is due to a mechanism of action that does not involve peptide binding. Hypothesizing that this mechanism of action involves an interaction of the disaccharide portion of vancomycin analogues with bacterial transglycosylases, we have prepared a compound in which the vancomycin aglycone is coupled to a known transglycosylase inhibitor that is structurally unrelated to the disaccharides that have been previously investigated. The activity of this compound is excellent. This work provides a clear prescription for the design of better glycopeptide analogues.

A variety of regioisomeric bifunctionalized β-cyclodextrins derivatized with an imidazole and a metal ligand tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) group were prepared. As their Zn2+ complexes, these compounds show bifunctional catalysis of phosphate hydrolysis with a regioisomeric preference.

Geldanamycin interferes with the action of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) by binding to the N-terminal ATP binding site and inhibiting an essential ATPase activity. In a program directed toward finding potent, water soluble inhibitors of Hsp90, we prepared a library of over sixty 17-alkylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin analogs, and compared their affinity for Hsp90, ability to inhibit growth of SKBr3 mammalian cells, and in selected cases, water solubility. Over 20 analogs showed cell growth inhibition potencies similar to that of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), the front-runner geldanamycin analog that is currently in multiple clinical trials. Many of these analogs showed water solubility properties that were desirable for formulation. One of the most potent and water-soluble analogs in the series was 17-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), which was independently prepared by the NCI and will soon enter clinical trials. Importantly, the binding affinity of these analogs to the molecular target Hsp90 does not correlate well with their cytotoxicity in SKBr3 cells.

Analogs of the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin with alterations in one or both sugar moieties of the disaccharide have been prepared by tandem action of the vancomycin pathway glycosyltransferases GtfE and GtfD. All four regioisomers (2-, 3-, 4-, 6-) of TDP-deoxyglucoses and UDP/TDP-aminoglucoses were prepared, predominantly by action of D-glucopyranosyl-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase, E p . GtfE transferred the deoxyglucoses or aminoglucoses onto the 4-OH of 4-hydroxyphenylglycine of both the vancomycin and teicoplanin aglycone scaffolds. Kinetic analysis indicated the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-amino-glucoses were transferred by GtfE with only a 4- to 30-fold drop in k cat and no effect on K m compared to the native substrate, UDP/TDP-glucose, suggesting preparative utility. The next enzyme, GtfD, could utilize the variant glucosyl-peptides as substrates for transfer of L-4- epi -vancosamine. The aminosugar moieties in these variant glycopeptides introduce sites for acylation or reductive alkylation.

Two isomeric compounds have been synthesized carrying a pyridoxamine on C-6 of β-cyclodextrin and an imidazole unit on C-6 of the neighboring glucose residue. Each one stereoselectively transaminates phenylpyruvic acid to produce phenylalanine, and with opposite stereochemical preferences. Structure determinations by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy indicate that the imidazole units serve to block proton addition from their side, rather than acting to protonate the transamination intermediates. Related cyclodextrin–pyridoxamine compounds had been reported carrying ethylenediamine units instead of imidazoles, and high enantioselectivities in transamination were claimed. Our work indicates that these claims are incorrect, and that only poor selectivities are seen that are often unrelated to the position of the ethylenediamine units. Neither of these transaminating systems yet approaches the enantioselectivity seen with a pyridoxamine carrying a chirally mounted internal base group.