Abstract: A hybrid type I polyketide synthase gene typically containing a starter module and a plurality of heterologous extender modules is used to synthesise novel polyketides. It is preferably under the control of type II polypolyketide synthase promoter e.g. act I or S. coelicolor.

Abstract: Biosyntheses of compounds whereof at least portions are polyketides produced by means of polyketide synthase (PKS) enzyme complexes are carried out after specific alterations have been made within the acyltransferase (AT) domains of the PKSs. Particular motifs in or near the substrate binding pocket are disclosed, such that alterations therein affect substrate specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid glycosylated products, and in particular, to natural products such as polyketides and glycopeptides, and to processes for their preparation. The invention is particularly concerned with recombinant cells in which a cloned microbial glycosyltransferase can be conveniently screened for its ability to generate specific glycosylated derivatives when supplied with polyketide, peptide, or polyketide-peptides as substrates. The invention demonstrates that cloned glycosyltransferases when rapidly screened for their ability to attach a range of activated sugars to a range of exogenously supplied or endogenously generated aglycone templates, show a surprising flexibility towards both aglycone and sugar substrates, and that this process allows the production of glycosylated polyketides in good yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid glycosylated products, and in particular, to natural products such as polyketides and glycopeptides, and to processes for their preparation. The invention is particularly concerned with recombinant cells in which a cloned microbial glycosyltransferase can be conveniently screened for its ability to generate specific glycosylated derivatives when supplied with polyketide, peptide, or polyketide-peptides as substrates. The invention demonstrates that cloned glycosyltransferases when rapidly screened for their ability to attach a range of activated sugars to a range of exogenously supplied or endogenously generated aglycone templates, show a surprising flexibility towards both aglycone and sugar substrates, and that this process allows the production of glycosylated polyketides in good yield.

Abstract: The rapamycin gene cluster is an example of a gene cluster which includes a gene (rapL) leading to the formation of a precursor compound (pipecolic acid, in this case) which is required for inclusion in the larger product (rapamycin) produced by the enzymes encoded by the cluster. We have produced a mutant strain containing a rapamycin gene cluster in which the rapL gene is disabled. The strain does not naturally produce rapamycin but does so if fed with pipecolic acid. By feeding with alternative carboxylic acids we have produced variants of rapamycins. Tests have shown biological activity.

Abstract: The rapamycin gene cluster is an example of a gene cluster which includes a gene (rapL) leading to the formation of a precursor compound (pipecolic acid, in this case) which is required for inclusion in the larger product (rapamycin) produced by the enzymes encoded by the cluster. We have produced a mutant strain containing a rapamycin gene cluster in which the rapL gene is disabled. The strain does not naturally produce rapamycin but does so if fed with pipecolic acid. By feeding with alternative carboxylic acids we have produced variants of rapamycins. Tests have shown biological activity.

Abstract: Macrolides particularly erythromycins and azithromycins, having O-mycaminosyl or O-angolosaminyl groups, particularly at the 5-position, are produced using a gene cassette comprising a combination of genes which, in an appropriate strain background, are able to direct the synthesis of mycaminose or angolosamine and to direct its subsequent transfer to an aglycone or pseudoaglycone. Synthetic genes may comprise one or more of angMIII, angMI, angB, angAI, angAII, angorf14, angorf4, tylMIII, tylMI, tylB, tylAI, tylAII, eryCVI, spnO, eryBVI, eryK, tyl Ia and ery G. Glycosyltransfer genes may comprise one or more of eryCIII, tylMII, angMII, desVII, eryBV, spnP and midI.

Abstract: A polyketide synthase (“PKS”) of Type I is a complex multienzyme including a loading domain linked to a multiplicity of extension domains. The first extension module receives an acyl starter unit from the loading domain and each extension module adds a further ketide unit which may undergo processing (e.g. reduction). We have found that the Ksq domain possessed by some PKS's has decarboxylating activity, e.g. generating (substituted) acyl from (substituted) malonyl. The CLF domain of type II PKS's has similar activity. By inserting loading modules including such domains into PKS's not normally possessing them it is possible to control the starter units used.

Abstract: A polyketide synthase (“PKS”) of Type I is a complex multienzyme including a loading domain linked to a multiplicity of extension domains. The first extension module receives an acyl starter unit from the loading domain and each extension module adds a further ketide unit which may undergo processing (e.g. reduction). We have found that the Ksq domain possessed by some PKS's has decarboxylating activity, e.g. generating (substituted) acyl from (substituted) malonyl. The CLF domain of type II PKS's has similar activity. By inserting loading modules including such domains into PKS's not normally possessing them it is possible to control the starter units used.

Abstract: The rapamycin gene cluster is an example of a gene cluster which includes a gene (rapL) leading to the formation of a precursor compound (pipecolic acid, in this case) which is required for inclusion in the larger product (rapamycin) produced by the enzymes encoded by the cluster. We have produced a mutant strain containing a rapamycin gene cluster in which the rapL gene is disabled. The strain does not naturally produce rapamycin but does so if fed with pipecolic acid. By feeding with alternative carboxylic acids we have produced variants of rapamycins. Tests have shown biological activity.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding at least part of a Type I polyketide synthase, and having a polylinker with multiple restriction enzyme sites in place of one or more PKS genes encoding enzymes associated with reduction, optionally further including nucleic acid incorporated into the polylinker, the further nucleic acid encoding one or more reductive enzymes; plasmids incorporating such nucleic acids; host cells transfected with such plasmids; methods relating thereto.

Abstract: A hybrid type I polyketide synthase gene typically containing a starter module and a plurality of heterologous extender modules is used to synthesize novel polyketides. It is preferably under the control of a type II polypolyketide synthase promoter e.g. act I of S. coelicolor.

Abstract: Biosyntheses of compounds whereof at least portions are polyketides produced by means of polyketide synthase (PKS) enzyme complexes are carried out after specific alterations have been made within the acyltransferase (AT) domains of the PKSs. Particular motifs in or near the substrate binding pocket are disclosed, such that alterations therein affect substrate specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid glycosylated products, and in particular, to natural products such as polyketides and glycopeptides, and to processes for their preparation. The invention is particularly concerned with recombinant cells in which a cloned microbial glycosyltransferase can be conveniently screened for its ability to generate specific glycosylated derivatives when supplied with polyketide, peptide, or polyketide-peptides as substrates. The invention demonstrates that cloned glycosyltransferases when rapidly screened for their ability to attach a range of activated sugars to a range of exogenously supplied or endogenously generated aglycone templates, show a surprising flexibility towards both aglycone and sugar substrates, and that this process allows the production of glycosylated polyketides in good yield.

Abstract: The rapamycin gene cluster is an example of a gene cluster which includes a gene (rapL) leading to the formation of a precursor compound (pipecolic acid, in this case) which is required for inclusion in the larger product (rapamycin) produced by the enzymes encoded by the cluster. We have produced a mutant strain containing a rapamycin gene cluster in which the rapL gene is disabled. The strain does not naturally produce rapamycin but does so if fed with pipecolic acid. By feeding with alternative carboxylic acids we have produced variants of rapamycins. Tests have shown biological activity.

Abstract: Erythromycins, particularly ones with novel C-13 substituents R1 (e.g. C3-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups) are prepared by fermenting suitable organisms in the presence of R1CO2H. A preferred organism is Saccharopolyspora erythraea preferably containing an integrated plasmid capable of directing synthesis of desired compounds.

Abstract: Erythromycins, particularly ones with novel C-13 substituents R1 (e.g. C3-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups) are prepared by fermenting suitable organisms in the presence of R1CO2H. A preferred organism is Saccharopolyspora erythraea preferably containing an integrated plasmid capable of directing synthesis of desired compounds.

Abstract: Erythromycins, particularly with C-13 substituents R1 (e.g. C3-C4 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups) are prepared by fermenting suitable organisms in the presence of R1CO2H. A preferred organism is Saccharopolyspora erythraea preferably containing an integrated plasmid capable of directing synthesis of desired compounds.

Abstract: Erythromycins, particularly with C-13 substituents R1 (e.g. C3-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups) are prepared by fermenting suitable organisms in the presence of R1CO2H. A preferred organism is Saccharopolyspora erythraea preferably containing an integrated plasmid capable of directing synthesis of desired compounds.