The potent and selective Gq protein inhibitor depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), originally discovered as the product of an uncultivable plant endosymbiont, is synthesized by a complex biosynthetic system comprising two nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) assembly lines. Here we characterize a cultivable bacterial FR producer, enabling detailed investigations into biosynthesis and attachment of the functionally important FR side chain. We reconstitute side chain assembly by the monomodular NRPS FrsA and the non-heme monooxygenase FrsH, and characterize intermolecular side chain transesterification to the final macrocyclic intermediate FR-Core, mediated by the FrsA thioesterase domain. We harness FrsA substrate promiscuity to generate FR analogs with altered side chains and demonstrate indispensability of the FR side chain for efficient Gq inhibition by comparative bioactivity, toxicity and docking studies. Finally, evolution of FR and side chain biosynthesis is discussed based on bioinformatics analyses. Side chain transesterification boosts potency and target affinity of selective Gq inhibitor natural products.

Hypeptin is a cyclodepsipeptide antibiotic produced by Lysobacter sp. K5869, isolated from an environmental sample by the iChip technology, dedicated to the cultivation of previously uncultured microorganisms. Hypeptin shares structural features with teixobactin and exhibits potent activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive pathogens. Using comprehensive in vivo and in vitro analyses, we show that hypeptin blocks bacterial cell wall biosynthesis by binding to multiple undecaprenyl pyrophosphate-containing biosynthesis intermediates, forming a stoichiometric 2:1 complex. Resistance to hypeptin did not readily develop in vitro. Analysis of the hypeptin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) supported a model for the synthesis of the octapeptide. Within the BGC, two hydroxylases were identified and characterized, responsible for the stereoselective b-hydroxylation of four building blocks when bound to peptidyl carrier proteins. In vitro hydroxylation assays corroborate the biosynthetic hypothesis and lead to the proposal of a refined structure for hypeptin.

d-Phenyllactate (PLA) is a component of the selective Gq protein inhibitor and nonribosomal cyclic depsipeptide FR900359 (FR). Here we report a detailed biochemical investigation of PLA biosynthesis and its incorporation into the natural product FR. The enzyme FrsC, member of the lactate/ malate dehydrogenase superfamily, was shown to catalyze the formation of l-PLA from phenylpyruvate. FrsC was kinetically characterized and its substrate specificity determined. Incorporation of l-PLA was probed by assaying the adenylation domain FrsE-A3 and feeding studies with a Chromobacterium vaccinii ΔfrsC mutant, confirming preferred activation of l-PLA followed by on-line epimerization to d-PLA. Finally, detailed bioinformatic analyses of FrsC revealed its close relation to malate dehydrogenases from primary metabolism and suggest extensions in the substrate binding loop to be responsible for its adaptation to accepting larger aromatic substrates with high specificity.

Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are particularly vulnerable to drug-related problems (DRPs) given the toxicity of concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Objective To investigate the number and type of potential DRPs (pDRPs) in HNC outpatients undergoing five consecutive cycles of CCRT. Methods A single-centre, non-randomized, non-interventional, observational study was conducted at the Oncological Outpatient Clinic of the Center for Integrated Oncology at the University Hospital Bonn, Germany. Clinical pharmacists took a comprehensive medication history, documented laboratory data, assessed patients’ symptom burden, and retrospectively performed medication reviews at study entry and on the first day of each therapy cycle without any clinical intervention. Results In 26 patients, the mean number of pDRPs continuously increased during therapy course, from 4.8 (SD 2.7, range 2–12) at cycle 1 to 6.9 (SD 2.6, range 2–12) at cycle 5, with drug-drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, inappropriate durations of use, and inappropriate dosage intervals being the most common. Considering only new and recurrent pDRPs, the mean number was 4.3 (SD 2.3, range 2–9) at cycle 1 and lower in the further therapy course with an average of 1.3 (SD 1.7, range 0–7) at cycle 2 and 1.9 (SD 1.5, range 0–5) at cycle 5. The number of pDRPs was found to be associated with medication regimen complexity and health-related quality of life assessed in the first therapy cycle. Conclusion pDRPs frequently occurred in HNC outpatients demonstrating the need for pharmaceutical care. A methodological framework for repeated medication reviews was established, facilitating implementation into routine healthcare practice.

Hypeptin is a cyclodepsipeptide antibiotic produced by Lysobacter sp. K5869, isolated from an environmental sample by the iChip technology, dedicated to the cultivation of previously uncultured microorganisms. Hypeptin shares structural features with teixobactin and exhibits potent activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive pathogens. Using comprehensive in vivo and in vitro analyses, we show that hypeptin blocks bacterial cell wall biosynthesis by binding to multiple undecaprenyl pyrophosphate-containing biosynthesis intermediates, forming a stoichiometric 2:1 complex. Resistance to hypeptin did not readily develop in vitro. Analysis of the hypeptin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) supported a model for the synthesis of the octapeptide. Within the BGC, two hydroxylases were identified and characterized, responsible for the stereoselective b-hydroxylation of four building blocks when bound to peptidyl carrier proteins. In vitro hydroxylation assays corroborate the biosynthetic hypothesis and lead to the proposal of a refined structure for hypeptin.