Biosynthetic pathways and enzymes involved in the production of phosphonic acid natural products

Phosphonates are organophosphorus compounds possessing a characteristic C−P bond in which phosphorus is directly bonded to carbon. As phosphonates mimic the phosphates and carboxylates of biological molecules to potentially inhibit metabolic enzymes, they could be lead compounds for the development of a variety of drugs. Fosfomycin (FM) is a representative phosphonate natural product that is widely used as an antibacterial drug. Here, we review the biosynthesis of FM, which includes a recent breakthrough to find a missing link in the biosynthetic pathway that had been a mystery for a quarter-century. In addition, we describe the genome mining of phosphonate natural products using the biosynthetic gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes C–P bond formation. We also introduce the chemoenzymatic synthesis of phosphonate derivatives. These studies expand the repertoires of phosphonates and the related biosynthetic machinery. This review mainly covers the years 2012-2020.