Intermediates Released from a Polyether‐Producing Polyketide Synthase Provide Insight into the Mechanism of Oxidative Cyclization

Abstract

Stereochemistry resolved: The introduction of hybrid polyketide synthases in Streptomyces cinnamonensis has shown that the E forms of a tetraketide and pentaketide are intermediates in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic ionophore monensin A (see structure). Furthermore, the trans double bond present in these intermediates has been identified as one of the targets for the epoxidase that initiates oxidative cyclization. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2003/z51375_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.