Characterization of a broad-range disulfide reductase from Streptomyces clavuligerus and its possible role in beta-lactam antibiotic biosynthesis

The characterization of a disulfide reductase from beta-lactam-producing Streptomyces clavuligerus was described. It was shown that S. clavuligerus possesses an NADPH-dependent disulfide reductase of broad substrate specificity. When the disulfide reductase is coupled with isopenicillin N synthase, it converts bis-delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine to isopenicillin N. The results suggest that the disulfide reductase may play a role in the biosynthesis of penicillin.