Production of diprenylated indole derivatives by tandem incubation of two recombinant dimethylallyltryptophan synthases

Arch Microbiol. 2009 Oct;191(10):791-5. doi: 10.1007/s00203-009-0504-9. Epub 2009 Sep 1.

Abstract

Two dimethylallyltryptophan synthases, FgaPT2 and 7-DMATS, which catalysed the prenylation of L-tryptophan at positions C4 and C7, respectively, have been recently identified in Aspergillus fumigatus and proven biochemically. These enzymes were successfully used for the production of monoprenylated indole derivatives. In this study, we showed that C4,C7-diprenylated indole derivatives, e.g. 4,7-di-(dimethylallyl)-L-tryptophan, 4,7-di-(dimethylallyl)-L-abrine and 4,7-di-(dimethylallyl)-11-methyltryptophan, could be conveniently produced by tandem incubation of both enzymes. The structures of the isolated enzymatic products were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. High conversion yields of up to 93% were achieved by an incubation sequence of FgaPT2 followed by 7-DMATS. The results reported in this study demonstrated the potential of secondary metabolite enzymes as promising tools for the production of designed compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / genetics
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / metabolism*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / enzymology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Indoles / isolation & purification
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prenylation
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Tryptophan / metabolism

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Indoles
  • Tryptophan
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • tryptophan dimethylallyltransferase