Edited by Miguel De la RosaKeywords: Natural product Ribosomal peptide Sactipeptide Biosynthesis Radical SAM enzyme [4Fe-4S] cluster a b s t r a c t Thurincin H is a 31-residue, ribosomally synthesized bacteriocin originating from the thn operon of Bacillus thuringiensis SF361. It is the only known sactipeptide carrying four thioether bridges between four cysteines and the a-carbons of a serine, an asparagine and two threonine residues.By analysis of the thn operon and use of in vitro studies we now reveal that ThnB is a radical Sadenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme containing two [4Fe-4S] clusters. Furthermore, we confirm the involvement of ThnB in the formation of the thioether bonds present within the structure of thurincin H. Finally, we show that the PqqD homologous N-terminal domain of ThnB is essential for maturation of the thurincin H precursor peptide, but not for the SAM cleavage activity of ThnB.

Heme d is a modified tetrapyrrole playing an important role in denitrification by acting as the catalytically essential cofactor in the cytochrome cd nitrite reductase of many denitrifying bacteria. In the course of heme d biosynthesis, the two propionate side chains on pyrrole rings A and B of the intermediate 12,18-didecarboxysiroheme are removed from the tetrapyrrole macrocycle. In the final heme d molecule, the propionate groups are replaced by two keto functions. Although it was speculated that the Radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzyme NirJ might be responsible for the removal of the propionate groups and introduction of the keto functions, this has not been shown experimentally, so far. Here, we demonstrate that NirJ is a Radical SAM enzyme carrying two iron-sulfur clusters. While the N-terminal [4Fe-4S] cluster is essential for the initial SAM cleavage reaction, it is not required for substrate binding. NirJ tightly binds its substrate 12,18-didecarboxysiroheme and, thus, can be purified in complex with the substrate. By using the purified NirJ/substrate complex in an in vitro enzyme activity assay, we show that NirJ indeed catalyzes the removal of the two propionate side chains under simultaneous SAM cleavage. However, under the reaction conditions employed, no keto group formation is observed indicating that an additional cofactor or enzyme is needed for this reaction.