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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes T&#252;6028
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Published on: January 13, 2017

Structures and mechanisms of polyketide synthases.

Chaitan Khosla1

  • 1Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5080, USA. khosla@stanford.edu

The Journal of Organic Chemistry
|August 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Molecular genetic tools revealed clustered genes for polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis. Studying model polyketide synthases (PKSs) like those for actinorhodin and erythromycin illuminates natural product pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Microbial natural product biosynthesis
  • Molecular genetics
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • The discovery of gene clusters for polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis revolutionized the field.
  • Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are evolutionarily related enzyme assemblies with diverse structures and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on two model PKSs.
  • To elucidate the molecular logic behind polyketide natural product biosynthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on genetic and biochemical characterization of PKSs.
  • Investigating PKSs involved in actinorhodin and erythromycin biosynthesis.

Main Results:

  • Detailed understanding of two specific PKS systems.

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes T&#252;6028
09:08

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

Published on: January 13, 2017

The Logic, Experimental Steps, and Potential of Heterologous Natural Product Biosynthesis Featuring the Complex Antibiotic Erythromycin A Produced Through E. coli
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The Logic, Experimental Steps, and Potential of Heterologous Natural Product Biosynthesis Featuring the Complex Antibiotic Erythromycin A Produced Through E. coli

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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
07:59

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

Published on: October 4, 2019

  • Insights into the biosynthesis of SEK4, SEK4b, and 6-deoxyerythronolide B.

    • Conclusions:

    • Studying model PKS systems provides broad insights into natural product biosynthesis.
    • PKSs, despite diversity, share evolutionary relationships.