Novel enzymology in futalosine-dependent menaquinone biosynthesis

The recently discovered futalosine-dependent menaquinone biosynthesis pathway employs radical chemistry for the naphthoquinol core assembly. Mechanistic studies on this pathway have resulted in the discovery of novel reaction motifs. MqnA is the first example of a chorismate dehydratase. MqnE is the first example of a radical SAM enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical to the substrate double bond rather than hydrogen atom abstraction. Both MqnE and MqnC reaction sequences involve radical additions to a benzene ring followed by formation of an aryl radical anion intermediate. The enzymology of the tailoring reactions after dihydroxynaphthoic acid formation remains to be elucidated. Since the futalosine-dependent menaquinone biosynthesis pathway is absent in humans, mechanistic studies on this pathway may promote the development of new antibiotics.