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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

Published on: January 13, 2017

Triggering cryptic natural product biosynthesis in microorganisms.

Kirstin Scherlach¹, Christian Hertweck

¹Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry

|July 11, 2009

Summary

Microbial natural products offer novel therapeutics, but many valuable compounds remain hidden. This overview explores strategies like external cues, co-cultivation, and genomic approaches to activate silent biosynthetic pathways for discovering cryptic natural products.

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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028

Published on: January 13, 2017

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products

Published on: October 4, 2019

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Natural Product Chemistry
Drug Discovery

Background:

Microorganisms are a vital source of novel therapeutic compounds.
Standard laboratory culturing often fails to activate silent biosynthetic gene clusters, leading to the overlooking of valuable natural products.
These silent or
cryptic
pathways require specific activation conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of strategies for activating silent biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms.
To highlight methods for uncovering
cryptic
natural products with therapeutic potential.
To discuss the importance of exploring microbial chemical diversity beyond standard cultivation.

Main Methods:

Review of external stimuli and environmental manipulation to trigger gene expression.
Exploration of microbial co-cultivation techniques to simulate natural interactions.
Discussion of genomic approaches including genome-mining, epigenetic modification, and engineered pathway activation.

Main Results:

Various external cues and co-cultivation methods can successfully activate cryptic biosynthetic pathways.
Genomic strategies, particularly genome-mining and pathway engineering, offer powerful tools for identifying and activating silent gene clusters.
These approaches significantly increase the potential for discovering novel natural products from microbial sources.

Conclusions:

Activating silent biosynthetic pathways is essential for unlocking the full therapeutic potential of microorganisms.
A combination of cultivation-based and genomic strategies is most effective for discovering cryptic natural products.
Further research into these methods will accelerate the discovery of new drug leads.