Enzyme-mediated backbone N-methylation in ribosomally encoded peptides

Emmanuel Matabaro, Haigang Song, Clara Chepkirui, Hannelore Kaspar, Luca Witte, James H. Naismith, Michael F. Freeman, Markus Künzler

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Backbone N-methylation as a posttranslational modification was recently discovered in a class of ribosomally encoded peptides referred to as borosins. The founding members of the borosins are the omphalotins (A-I), backbone N-methylated, macrocyclic dodecapeptides produced by the mushroom Omphalotus olearius. Omphalotins display a strong and selective toxicity toward the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The primary product omphalotin A is synthesized via a concerted action of the omphalotin precursor protein (OphMA) and the dual function prolyloligopeptidase/macrocyclase (OphP). OphMA consists of α-N-methyltransferase domain that autocatalytically methylates the core peptide fused to its C-terminus via a clasp domain. Genome mining uncovered over 50 OphMA homologs from the fungal phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. However, the derived peptide natural products have not been described yet, except for lentinulins, dendrothelins and gymnopeptides produced by the basidiomycetes Lentinula edodes, Dendrothele bispora and Gymnopus fusipes, respectively. In this chapter, we describe methods used to isolate and characterize these backbone N-methylated peptides and their precursor proteins both in their original hosts and in the heterologous hosts Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. These methods may pave the path for both the discovery of novel borosins with interesting bioactivities. In addition, understanding of borosin biosynthetic pathways may allow setting up a biotechnological platform for the production of pharmaceutical leads for orally available peptide drugs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSynthetic and Enzymatic Modifications of the Peptide Backbone
EditorsE. James Petersson
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages429-458
Number of pages30
ISBN (Print)9780128212530
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Publication series

NameMethods in Enzymology
Volume656
ISSN (Print)0076-6879
ISSN (Electronic)1557-7988

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Agaricomycetes
  • Basidiomycota
  • Borosin
  • Macrocyclase
  • Methyltransferase
  • Peptide
  • Prolyloligopeptidase
  • RiPP
  • SAM
  • α-N-methylation
  • Saccharomycetales
  • Peptides/genetics
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Methylation
  • Agaricales

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Journal Article

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