S28: Adenylation domains in formation of novel nonribosomal peptides

Nonribosomal peptides are secondary metabolites of clinical relevance that are produced by multi-modular enzymatic assembly-lines termed nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Each module contains three core domains, an adenyation, a thiolation, and a condensation domain responsible for activation, loading, and growing of the peptide chain, respectively. Adenylation domains very specifically dictate the identity of the amino acid building block to be incorporated into the natural products. We are studying and engineering unique multi-functional adenylating enzymes and developing new tools for their characterization.