Construction of a novel expression vector in Pseudonocardia autotrophica and its application to efficient biotransformation of compactin to pravastatin, a specific HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

The novel plasmid vector (pTAOR4-Rev) suitable for gene expression in actinomycete strains of Pseudonocardia autotrophica was constructed from 2 P. autotrophica genetic elements, the novel replication origin and the acetone-inducible promoter. The replication origin was isolated from the endogenous plasmid of strain DSM 43082 and the acetone-inducible promoter was determined by analysis of the upstream region of an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene homologue in strain NBRC 12743.

One-pot fermentation of pladienolide D by Streptomyces platensis expressing a heterologous cytochrome P450 gene.

Pladienolide D is a 16-hydroxylated derivative of pladienolide B, produced by Streptomyces platensis. To facilitate the production of pladienolide D, the gene encoding a pladienolide B 16-hydroxylase from S. bungoensis was introduced into S.

Organization of the biosynthetic gene cluster for the polyketide antitumor macrolide, pladienolide, in Streptomyces platensis Mer-11107.

Pladienolides are novel 12-membered macrolides produced by Streptomyces platensis Mer-11107. They show strong antitumor activity and are a potential lead in the search for novel antitumor agents. We sequenced the 65-kb region covering the biosynthetic gene cluster, and found four polyketide synthase genes (pldAI-pldAIV) composed of 11 modules, three genes involved in post-modifications (pldB-D), and a luxR-family regulatory gene (pldR).

Increase in pladienolide D production rate using a Streptomyces strain overexpressing a cytochrome P450 gene.

Pladienolide B and its 16-hydroxylated derivative (pladienolide D) are novel 12-membered macrolides produced by Streptomyces platensis Mer-11107 showing strong in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. While pladienolide B is mainly produced by this strain, pladienolide D is produced to a lesser extent. To facilitate the production of pladienolide D by biotransformation, we found that Streptomyces bungoensis A-1544 was able to hydroxylate pladienolide B at 16-position.

Increase in the rate of L-pipecolic acid production using lat-expressing Escherichia coli by lysP and yeiE amplification.

Biotransformation of L-lysine (L-Lys) to L-pipecolic acid (L-PA) using lat-expressing Escherichia coli has been reported (Fujii et al., Biosci. Biotechnol.