Functional characterization of different ORFs including luciferase-like monooxygenase genes from the mensacarcin gene cluster.

The biologically active compound mensacarcin is produced by Streptomyces bottropensis. The cosmid cos2 contains a large part of the mensacarcin biosynthesis gene cluster. Heterologous expression of this cosmid in Streptomyces albus J1074 led to the production of the intermediate didesmethylmensacarcin (DDMM).

Cloning and sequencing of the biosynthetic gene cluster for saquayamycin Z and galtamycin B and the elucidation of the assembly of their saccharide chains.

Sweet ways: We have investigated the glycosyltransferase genes of the saquayamycin Z (shown) and galtamycin B biosynthetic gene cluster from Micromonospora sp. Tü6368. The results unambiguously show that both compounds are derived from the same cluster.