Some
bacteria produce “bacterial polyynes” bearing
a conjugated CC bond that starts with a terminal alkyne. Ergoynes
A and B have been reported as sulfur-containing metabolites from Gynuella sunshinyii YC6258. These compounds were thought to be formed by cycloaddition
between a bacterial polyyne (named Gs-polyyne) and l-ergothioneine.
The biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which may contribute to their
synthesis, were present in the YC6258 genome. The biosynthetic origin
of Gs-polyyne is interesting considering its rare 2-isopentyl fatty
acyl skeleton. Here, the structures and biosynthesis of Gs-polyyne
and ergoynes were verified by analytical, chemical, and genetic techniques.
In the YC6258 extract, which was prepared considering their instability,
Gs-polyyne was detected as a major LC peak, and ergoynes were not
detected. The NMR data of the isolated Gs-polyyne contradicted the
proposed structure and identified it as the previously reported protegenin
A. The expression of Gs-polyyne BGC in Escherichia
coli BL21(DE3) also yielded protegenin A. The cyclization
between protegenin A and l-ergothioneine did not proceed
during sample preparation; a base, such as potassium carbonate, was
required. Overall, Gs-polyyne was identified as protegenin A, while
ergoynes were determined to be artifacts. This cyclization may provide
a derivatization to stabilize polyynes or create new chemical space.