A versatile enzymatic pathway for modification of peptide C-termini

Advances in bioinformatics have enabled the discovery of unique enzymatic reactions, particularly for ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The recently discovered daptides, peptides with their C-terminus replaced by an amine, represent one such case, but the diversity, requirements, and engineering potential of daptide biosynthesis remain to be established. Using the daptide biosynthetic gene clusters from Thermobifida fusca and Streptomyces azureus, we reconstituted daptide biosynthesis in vitro, revealing the enzymatic requirements for successive oxidative decarboxylation, transamination, and N,N-dimethylation. In vitro and in vivo studies showed a tailoring family of YcaO enzymes convert a secondary amine intermediate to a C-terminal imidazoline. We further demonstrated enzymatic activity toward shortened, leader peptide-free, and non-native core peptides, highlighting a broad substrate tolerance. Using these insights, we directed the daptide pathway to install new C-termini, including a bioconjugation-compatible aminoacetone, on various peptide and protein substrates.