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Cover Picture: Evidence that Thienamycin Biosynthesis Proceeds via C‐5 Epimerization: ThnE Catalyzes the Formation of (2 S ,5 S )‐ trans ‐Carboxymethylproline (ChemBioChem 2/2009)
Author(s) -
Hamed Refaat B.,
Batchelar Edward T.,
Mecinović Jasmin,
Claridge Timothy D. W.,
Schofield Christopher J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.200990000
Subject(s) - thienamycin , stereochemistry , epimer , biosynthesis , chemistry , bicyclic molecule , streptomyces clavuligerus , streptomyces coelicolor , lactam , atp synthase , streptomyces , actinomycetales , biology , biochemistry , antibiotics , enzyme , bacteria , gene , genetics , mutant
The cover picture shows a view from a crystal structure of a carboxymethylproline synthase with the malonyl‐CoA‐derived enolate and pyroline‐5‐carboxylate modelled into the active site. Carboxymethylproline synthases (e.g. CarB and ThnE from Pectobacterium carotovorum and Streptomyces cattleya , respectively) catalyse the formation of carboxymethylproline intermediates in the biosynthesis of the clinically important carbapenem subfamily of β‐lactam antibiotics. Epimerization reactions enable diversification in the biosynthetic pathways leading to all subfamilies of bicyclic β‐lactam antibiotics: penicillins/cephalosporins, carbapenems and clavams. For more information, see the article by C. J. Schofield et al. on p. 246 ff.