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Nature chemistryNov 2025 DOI:
10.1038/s41557-025-01979-6

Non-ribosomal peptide cyclase-directed chemoenzymatic synthesis of lariat lipopeptides

Kobayashi, Masakazu; Matsuda, Kenichi; Yamada, Yuito; Ichihara, Rintaro; Onozawa, Naho; Fukano, Hanako; Hoshino, Yoshihiko; Hirabayashi, Aki; Suzuki, Masato; Katsuyama, Akira; Ichikawa, Satoshi; Wakimoto, Toshiyuki
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Abstract
Lariat-shaped lipopeptides are important antimicrobial agents; however, their complex structures pose synthetic challenges that hamper efficient structural diversification. Here we report a new chemoenzymatic approach that facilitates access to lariat-shaped macrocycles. Unprotected, branched peptides bearing multiple nucleophiles, including a native amino terminus and a pseudo-amino terminus, were site-selectively cyclized using versatile non-ribosomal peptide cyclases, generating an array of lariat peptides with diverse sequences and ring sizes. The generality of this strategy was demonstrated using two penicillin-binding protein-type thioesterases, SurE and WolJ, as well as one type-I thioesterase, TycC thioesterase. Furthermore, the remaining nucleophile, which was not involved in the cyclization process, was exploited as a reactive handle for subsequent diversification via a site-selective acylation reaction (that is, Ser/Thr ligation). The tandem cyclization-acylation strategy enabled the one-pot, modular synthesis of lariat-shaped lipopeptides equipped with various acyl groups. Biological screening revealed that the site-selective acylation endowed the macrocyclic scaffolds with antimycobacterial activity and led to the identification of lipopeptides that inhibit 50% of growth at concentrations of 8-16 µg ml-1.
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