W. van der Donk

Unexpected transformations during pyrroloiminoquinone biosynthesis

This study reveals the complexity of pyrroloiminoquinone biosynthesis by identifying four additional enzymes that correct a previously proposed pathway and show that amino groups come from glycine, asparagine, and leucine.

Exposure and resistance to lantibiotics impact microbiota composition and function

This study shows that lantibiotic resistance genes in gut bacteria affect microbiota composition and function, with implications for microbiome health and resistance strategies.

PEARL-catalyzed peptide bond formation after chain reversal during the biosynthesis of non-ribosomal peptides

This study identifies a lantibiotic dehydratase that catalyzes peptide bond formation in the opposite direction of NRPS and PKS biosynthesis, revealing its role as a separate amide bond-forming machinery.

A Facile Method for Determining Lanthipeptide Stereochemistry

This study develops a simple method to determine lanthipeptide stereochemistry using Marfeys analysis with low sample requirements and standard equipment.

Expression of Lanthipeptides in Human Cells

The paper reports an expression system for producing lanthipeptides and cytolysin L derivatives in mammalian cells and demonstrates their nuclear targeting.

Sequence Controlled Secondary Structure Determines Site-selectivity of Lanthipeptides

This study shows that the secondary structure of lanthipeptide substrates determines site-selectivity and ring formation order, independent of the dehydration step.

Glutamic acid is a carrier for hydrazine during the biosyntheses of fosfazinomycin and kinamycin

The paper shows that glutamic acid carries hydrazine during the biosynthesis of fosfazinomycin and kinamycin, forming an N-N bond through an acetylhydrazine intermediate.

Substrate-assisted Enzymatic Formation of Lysinoalanine in Duramycin

The paper investigates the mechanism of lysinoalanine formation in duramycin, showing that it is catalyzed by DurN through a substrate-assisted process involving Hya15 as a base.