Effects of the Methylmalonyl-CoA Metabolic Pathway on Ansamitocin Production in Actinosynnema pretiosum.

Ansamitocins, which may have antitumor activity, are important secondary metabolites produced by Actinosynnema pretiosum sp. auranticum ATCC 31565. As one of the precursors for ansamitocin biosynthesis, methylmalonyl-CoA may be a critical metabolic node for secondary metabolism in A.

Enhancement of UDPG synthetic pathway improves ansamitocin production in Actinosynnem pretiosum.

Ansamitocin P-3 (AP-3), an amacrocyclic lactam compound, is produced by Actinosynnema pretiosum. As a group of maytansinoid antibiotics, ansamitocins have an extraordinary antitumor activity by blocking the assembly of tubulin forming into functional microtubules. The biosynthesis of ansamitocins is initialized by the formation of UDP-glucose (UDPG) which is converted from glucose-1-phosphate (G1P).