Abstract: Macrolactams are made by feeding aromatic amino acids as replacement starter units to a mutant strain of the geldanamycin-producing microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. geldanus NRRL 3602, wherein the gene cluster encoding enzymes for the biosynthesis of the natural starter unit 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid has been deleted.

Abstract: Polypeptides and domains of leptomycin polyketide synthase and the nucleic acids encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare leptomycin, leptomycin analogs, and leptomycin derivatives are described, as are methods to prepare other polyketides using the nucleic acids encoding leptomycin polyketide synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids that encode all or a portion of the epothilone polyketide synthase (PKS) are used to express recombinant PKS genes in host cells for the production of epothilones, epothilone derivatives, and polyketides that are useful as cancer chemotherapeutics, fungicides, and immunosuppressants.

Abstract: The present invention provides new trans-9,10-dehydroepothilone C and trans-9,10-dehydroepothilone D based derivative compounds, compositions and methods of inhibiting cellular hyperproliferation and/or stabilizing microtubules in vitro and of treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in vivo. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids that encode all or a portion of the epothilone polyketide synthase (PKS) are used to express recombinant PKS genes in host cells for the production of epothilones, epothilone derivatives, and polyketides that are useful as cancer chemotherapeutics, fungicides, and immunosuppressants.

Abstract: The invention relates to benzoquinone ansamycin analogs useful for the treatment of cancer and other diseases or conditions characterized by undesired cellular proliferation or hyperproliferation. Therapies involving the administration of such benzoquinone ansamycin analogs, optionally in combination with an inhibitor of an HSP90 client protein, are useful to treat cancer and non-cancerous disease conditions.

Abstract: Recombinant host cells of the suborder Cystobacterineae containing recombinant expression vectors that encode heterologous PKS genes can produce polyketides synthesized by the PKS enzymes encoded on those vectors at high levels.

Abstract: Intermediates in the preparation of epothilones and epothilone analogs are provided along with synthetic methods useful in the synthesis of epothilone compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides strategies, methods, vectors, reagents, and systems for production of synthetic genes, production of libraries of such genes, and manipulation and characterization of the genes and corresponding encoded polypeptides. In one aspect, the synthetic genes can encode polyketide synthase polypeptides and facilitate production of therapeutically or commercially important polyketide compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides strategies, methods, vectors, reagents, and systems for production of synthetic genes, production of libraries of such genes, and manipulation and characterization of the genes and corresponding encoded polypeptides. In one aspect, the synthetic genes can encode polyketide synthase polypeptides and facilitate production of therapeutically or commercially important polyketide compounds.

Abstract: Host cells, such as E. coli, are provided with an expression system for making starter units required for biosynthesis of polyketides using the ato pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to benzoquinone ansamycin analogs useful for the treatment of cancer and other diseases or conditions characterized by undesired cellular proliferation or hyperproliferation. Therapies involving the administration of such benzoquinone ansamycin analogs, optionally in combination with an inhibitor of an HSP90 client protein, are useful to treat cancer and non-cancerous disease conditions.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids that encode all or a portion of the epothilone polyketide synthase (PKS) are used to express recombinant PKS genes in host cells for the production of epothilones, epothilone derivatives, and polyketides that are useful as cancer chemotherapeutics, fungicides, and immunosuppressants.

Abstract: Migrastatin and a migrastatin analog can be produced by fermentation of Streptomyces platensis NRRL 18993 and used in pharmaceutical formulations to treat cancer and/or inhibit metastasis of cancer cells.

Abstract: The sequence of the disorazole polyketide synthase protein gene is disclosed. Domains of disorazole polyketide synthase and polynucleotides encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare disorazoles in pharmaceutically useful quantities are described, as are methods to prepare disorazole analogs and other polyketides using the polynucleotides encoding disorazole polyketide synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: Synthetic methods and intermediates useful in the preparation of lactone containing compounds such as discodermolide and compounds which mimic the chemical or biological activity of discodermolide are provided.

Abstract: Domains of ambruticin polyketide synthase and modification enzymes and polynucleotides encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare ambruticin in pharmaceutically useful quantities are described, as are methods to prepare ambruticin analogs and other polyketides using the polynucleotides encoding ambruticin synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: Recombinant Myxococcus host cells can be used to produce polyketides, including epothilone and epothilone analogs that can be purified from the fermentation broth and crystallized.

Abstract: Recombinant Escherichia coli host cells that comprise recombinant DNA expression vectors that drive expression of methylmalonyl CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii or Streptomyces cinnamonensis as well as Propionibacterium shermanii epimerase can produce S-methylmalonyl CoA, a required substrate for the production of polyketides by most modular polyketide synthases not present in wild-type E. coli host cells.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula wherein Ra is H; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl (1-10C); substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl (2-10C); substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl (2-10C); substituted or unsubstituted aryl (4-14C); substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl (5-20C); or ORa is replaced by H; Rb is H or halogen; Rc is H or a protecting group; Rd is methyl, unsubstituted alkyl (3-10C); substituted alkyl (1-10C); substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl (2-10C); substituted or unsubstituted aryl (4-14C); substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl (5-20C); substituted or unsubstituted arylalkenyl (5-20C); substituted or unsubstituted arylalkynyl (5-20C); substituted or unsubstituted amidoarylalkyl (5-20C); substituted or unsubstituted amidoarylalkenyl (5-20C); or substituted or unsubstituted amidoarylalkynyl (5-20C); Re is H or a protecting group; L is methylene or carbonyl; T is —O—, —N(R)—, —N(OR)—, —N(NHCOR)—, —N(N?CHR)—, or —N(NHR)— wherein R is H or Ra as defined above, with the proviso that when L is methyl