Heterologous expression of the diazaquinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster

Members of the diazaquinomycin class of natural products have shown potent and selective activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, poor aqueous solubility has prevented extensive studies in animal models thus far. Our long-term goal is to harness knowledge regarding diazaquinomycin biosynthesis towards the generation of derivatives for structure-activity relationship studies. We have previously sequenced the genomes of two diazaquinomycin-producing, actinomycete bacteria and identified putative daq biosynthetic gene clusters. Here, we report the heterologous expression of the daq gene cluster from the marine Streptomyces sp. F001 in S. coelicolor M1152. In addition to serving as functional proof for gene cluster assignment, the heterologous expression system reported here is expected to facilitate investigations aimed at elucidating diazaquinomycin biosynthesis.