Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Toolkit to Enable Hydrocarbon Conversion in Aqueous Environments
Published on: October 2, 2012
C-O bond formation by polyketide synthases
Hyung-Jin Kwon1, Wyatt C Smith, A Janelle Scharon
1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences and, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
Abstract:
Polyketide synthases (PKSs) assemble the polyketide carbon backbone by sequential decarboxylative condensation of acyl coenzyme A (CoA) precursors, and the C-C bond-forming step in this process is catalyzed by the beta-ketoacyl synthase (KS) domain or subunit. Genetic and biochemical characterization of the nonactin biosynthesis gene cluster from Streptomyces griseus revealed two KSs, NonJ and NonK, that are highly homologous to known KSs but catalyze sequential condensation of the acyl CoA substrates by forming C-O rather than C-C bonds. This chemistry can be used in PKS engineering to increase the scope and diversity of polyketide biosynthesis.
Related Concept Videos
Cofactors and Coenzymes
Cofactors and Coenzymes
Cofactors and Coenzymes
Cofactors can be metallic ions or organic molecules called coenzymes. These types of helper...
C–C Bond Formation: Aldol Condensation Overview
Esters to β-Ketoesters: Claisen Condensation Mechanism
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis

