Four genes (D1-4) show homology to dxs, dxr, ispG and ispH, which are proposed BIBW2992 order to biosynthesize IPP and DMAPP from pyruvate and D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. The remaining genes, ispDEF, are located outside of the gene cluster in most strains (ispE was not identified in the genomes of FS ATCC43239, FA UTEX1903 and FS PCC9339). IPP and DMAPP are the substrates for the enzyme geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPP synthase) to produce GPP [19]. The gene P2 is also conserved across most gene clusters and was proposed to encode a GPP synthase. Recent enzymatic characterization of AmbP2

and WelP2 from the amb and wel gene clusters, respectively, confirmed our prediction that P2 encodes a GPP synthase [7,8]. Hapalindole-specific prenyltransferase selleck chemicals llc The P1 gene is also part of the core set of genes found in each of the hpi/amb/wel gene clusters. P1 encodes a putative prenyltransferase with sequence Selleck ASP2215 similarity to other previously characterized proteins belonging to the ABBA superfamily of prenyltransferases

[20]. Sequence analysis of P1 revealed the absence of the Mg-dependent prenyl diphosphate binding motif (N/D)DXXD [21]. The prenyltransferase P1 in the hpi/amb/wel gene clusters was initially proposed to convert GPP (biosynthesized by P2) to β-ocimene in order to catalyze the prenylation of indole-isonitrile to produce 12-epi- hapalindole C [10]. Based on the biosynthetic schemes proposed by Moore and others, we anticipated P1 to possess activity that catalyzes a reverse prenylation independent of any additional enzymatic participation, in which C3, rather than C1, of β-ocimene is attached to C10 of indole-isonitrile (hapalindole numbering) Lck [1,10]. Recent characterization of AmbP1 and WelP1 from the amb and wel gene clusters both failed to convert GPP to β-ocimene [7,8]. We independently set out to characterize P1 from the wel gene cluster from WI HT-29-1. WelP1 was incubated with possible substrates tryptophan or indole-isonitriles with GPP at a range

of temperatures and incubation times, however, no differences between the control (no enzyme) and assay were detected via LC-MS. As no product was detected, we suspected an additional enzyme was probably involved. We proposed that the enzymatic pathway for hapalindole biosynthesis involves P1 for GPP binding and activation, simultaneously coupled with a halogenating enzyme, based upon the presence of a halogenated prenyl group. A putative halogenase (WelH) in the wel gene clusters from HW IC-52-3, WI HT-29-1 and FS PCC9431 displays similarity to FADH2-dependent halogenases, containing both a FAD-binding motif (GxGxxG) and a tryptophan-binding motif (WxWxIP) [22]. FADH2-dependent halogenases require a partner enzyme, a flavin reductase, to regenerate reduced flavin from FAD and NADH [23,24].