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The molecular mechanism of aminopropylation of peptide-nucleotide antibiotic microcin C

Alexey Kulikovsky1, Marina Serebryakova, Olga Bantysh

  • 1Institute of Gene Biology and ∥Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 119991, Russia.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|July 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Researchers elucidated the microcin C (McC) modification pathway, revealing how the MccD enzyme aminopropylates an intermediate using S-adenosyl methionine. This process enhances McC

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Microcin C (McC) is a translation inhibitor heptapeptide.
  • McC's biological activity is significantly enhanced by aminopropylation of its phosphate group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the precise pathway of the aminopropylation reaction in microcin C maturation.
  • To investigate the roles of MccD and MccE enzymes in McC biosynthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Enzymatic assays using S-adenosyl methionine as a substrate.
  • Analysis of McC maturation intermediates and products.
  • Investigating the role of Escherichia coli mtn gene product (nucleosidase).

Main Results:

  • The MccD enzyme transfers a 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group from S-adenosyl methionine to an adenylated McC intermediate.
  • The MccE enzyme removes the carboxyl group to yield mature McC.
  • MccD's inefficiency is overcome by a nucleosidase that hydrolyzes its product, stimulating the reaction.
  • Both MccD and MccE can modify related compounds, suggesting broader applicability.

Conclusions:

  • The study details the novel aminopropylation pathway for microcin C synthesis.
  • Enzyme MccD and its accessory factors are crucial for generating active microcin C.
  • The findings open possibilities for creating novel, potent peptidyl-adenylates with modified peptide structures.

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