Lingyang Zhu

Substrate-dependent crosslinking by the cytochrome P450 from aminopyruvatide biosynthesis

The P450 ApyO crosslinks a 10-residue C-terminal peptide, and substitutions in the YLY motif switch the linkage among C−C, N−C and C−O bonds.

A New Enzyme Family Catalyzing Methyllanthionine Sulfoxide Formation in Anti-phage Lanthipeptides

The paper identifies CoiH as an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a sulfoxide group in methyllanthionine of anti-phage lanthipeptides.

Unconventional biocatalytic strategies orchestrate synthesis of the nucleoside analog sinefungin

This paper identifies and characterizes the sinefungin biosynthetic gene cluster, revealing unconventional biocatalytic strategies involving a B12-dependent radical SAM enzyme and PEARLs for nucleoside modification.

Structure and activity of class II lanthipeptides from a thermophilic bacterium

The paper identifies and structurally analyzes two class II lanthipeptides from a thermophilic bacterium, revealing deviations in thioether ring formation and demonstrating antimicrobial activity.

Discovery and Biosynthesis of Nitrilobacillins by Post-translational Introduction of C-Terminal Nitrile Groups

The paper identifies and characterizes a RiPP biosynthetic gene cluster that introduces nitrile groups via an AS-like enzyme, expanding knowledge of RiPP structural diversity and enzymatic versatility.

Discovery of the Phosphonate Flavophos Produced by Burkholderia

This study identifies a new phosphonate antibiotic, flavophos, produced by Burkholderia, which inhibits lumazine synthase and confers resistance when expressed in E. coli.

Co-opting the bacterial lipoprotein pathway in the biosynthesis of a lipidated macrocyclic peptide

The paper identifies a new class of lipidated RiPPs that use the bacterial lipoprotein pathway for maturation, showing structural diversity and widespread distribution across bacterial phyla.

An unusual ring pattern in the Rosβ lanthipeptide of the two-component lantibiotic roseocin

This study determines the unique ring pattern of the Rosβ lanthipeptide of roseocin using NMR spectroscopy and Marfeys analysis.

Oxidative Peptide Backbone Cleavage by a HEXXH Enzyme During RiPP Biosynthesis

This study identifies two HEXXH enzymes that catalyze oxidative backbone cleavage in RiPP biosynthesis by recognizing specific peptide motifs.

The Biosynthetic Pathway to the Pyrroloiminoquinone Marine Natural Product Ammosamide C

This paper identifies the biosynthetic pathway for ammosamide C, revealing novel enzymatic steps and roles for PEARLs beyond traditional PTMs.

Biosynthesis of Macrocyclic Peptides by Formation and Crosslinking of ortho-Tyrosines

This study identifies a conserved FHAFRF-motif in precursor peptides of MNIO-encoding BGCs and demonstrates that MNIO and B12-rSAM enzymes catalyze ortho-hydroxylation and crosslinking of phenylalanine residues to form macrocyclic peptides.

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.