Lasso peptides are a structurally unique class of bioactive peptides characterized by a knotted arrangement, where the C-terminus threads through an N-terminal macrolactam ring. Although ribosomally synthesized, only the gene cluster for the best studied lasso peptide MccJ25 from Escherichia coli consisting of the precursor protein McjA and the processing and immunity proteins McjB, McjC, and McjD is known. Through genome mining studies, we have identified homologues of all four proteins in Burkholderia thailandensis E264 and predicted this strain to produce a lasso peptide. Here we report the successful isolation of the predicted peptide, named capistruin. Upon optimization of the fermentation conditions, mass spectrometric and NMR structural studies proved capistruin to adopt a novel lasso fold. Heterologous production of the lasso peptide in Escherichia coli showed that the identified genes are sufficient for the biosynthesis of capistruin, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against closely related Burkholderia and Pseudomonas strains. In general, our rational approach should be widely applicable for the isolation of new lasso peptides to explore their high structural stability and diverse biological activity.

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The crystal structure of the bidomain PCP-C from modules 5 and 6 of the nonribosomal tyrocidine synthetase TycC was determined at 1.8 A resolution. The bidomain structure reveals a V-shaped condensation domain, the canyon-like active site groove of which is associated with the preceding peptidyl carrier protein (PCP) domain at its donor side. The relative arrangement of the PCP and the peptide bond-forming condensation (C) domain places the active sites approximately 50 A apart. Accordingly, this PCP-C structure represents a conformational state prior to peptide transfer from the donor-PCP to the acceptor-PCP domain, implying the existence of additional states of PCP-C domain interaction during catalysis. Additionally, PCP-C exerts a mode of cyclization activity that mimics peptide bond formation catalyzed by C domains. Based on mutational data and pK value analysis of active site residues, it is suggested that nonribosomal peptide bond formation depends on electrostatic interactions rather than on general acid/base catalysis.

Microcin J25 is the archetype of a growing class of bacterial ribosomal peptides possessing a knotted topology (lasso peptides). It consists of an eight‐residue macrolactam ring through which the C‐terminal tail is threaded. It is biosynthesized as a precursor that is processed by two maturation enzymes (McjB/McjC). Insights into the mechanism of microcin J25 biosynthesis have been provided previously by mutagenesis of the precursor peptide in vivo. In this study we have demonstrated distinct functions of McjB and McjC in vitro for the first time, based on the detection of reaction intermediates. McjB was characterized as a new ATP‐dependent cysteine protease, whereas McjC was confirmed to be a lactam synthetase. The two enzymes were functionally interdependent, likely forming a structural complex. Their substrate preference was directly investigated with the aid of mutated precursor peptides. Depending on the substitutions, microcin J25 variants with either a lasso or branched‐cyclic topology could be generated in vitro.

Capistruin is a 19-residue ribosomally synthesized lasso peptide encoded by the capABCD gene cluster in Burkholderia thailandensis. It is composed of an N-terminal 9-residue macrolactam ring, through which the 10-residue C-terminal tail is threaded. Using a heterologous capistruin production system in Escherichia coli, we have generated 48 mutants of the precursor protein CapA to gain insights into capistruin biosynthesis. Only 4 residues (Gly1, Arg11, Val12, and Ile13) of the lasso sequence were found to be critical for maturation. Tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation studies of capistruin F16A/F18A proved Arg15 to be responsible for the trapping of the C-terminal tail. Substituting Arg15 and Phe16 by alanine revealed a temperature-sensitive capistruin derivative, which unfolds into a branched cyclic peptide upon heating. In conclusion, our global mutagenic approach revealed a low overall specificity of the biosynthetic machinery and important structure-stability correlations.