Inactivation of the <i>urdGT2</i> Gene, Which Encodes a Glycosyltransferase Responsible for the C-Glycosyltransfer of Activated <scp>d</scp>-Olivose, Leads to Formation of the Novel Urdamycins I, J, and K

Abstract

A targeted search for glycosyltransferase (GT) encoding genes in the gene cluster of the urdamycin A producer Streptomyces fradiae Tü2717 resulted in the discovery of urdGT2, a GT encoding gene located approximately 7 kb downstream of the minimal polyketide synthase (PKS) encoding genes. Subsequent inactivation of this gene created a mutant strain, which produces completely different metabolites than the wild-type strain, consisting of the three new urdamycins I, J, and K. Their structures provide new insight into the important C-glycosyl-transfer step of the urdamycin biosynthetic pathway. The structures indicate that the corresponding gene product UrdGT2 catalyzes the C-glycosyl transfer of activated d-olivose to an angucyclinone precursor, which already bears the angular 12b-OH group. The structures of the new urdamycins could not have arisen without the involvement of substrate flexible post-PKS modifying genes, i.e., glycosyltransferases and oxidoreductases. This work proves that targeted gene disruption experiments can lead to novel biologically active “unnatural” natural products, which arise through a formerly nonactivated shunt pathway. This approach is especially fruitful in work toward antitumor drugs. Urdamycin J shows a good anticancer activity in in vitro tests.