Polyketide synthases
Type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) constitute a family of multi-domain enzymes and complexes that produce a vast array of structurally complex polyketides. These natural compounds have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and immunosuppressant activities and thus currently form the basis for nearly one third of paharmaceuticals. Our aim here is to study the structure and dynamics of PKSs in order to delineate the principles of natural product formation by these remarkable enzyme factories. These efforts are aiming to set the stage for bioengineering synthases that create novel complex molecules with improved pharmacological properties.
Relevant publications:
Dutta S, Whicher JR, Hansen DA, Hale WA, Chemler JA, Congdon GR, Narayan AR, Håkansson K, Sherman DH, Smith JL, Skiniotis G. (2014). Structure of a modular polyketide synthase. Nature.
Whicher JR, Dutta S, Hansen DA, Hale WA, Chemler JA, Dosey AM, Narayan AR, Håkansson K, Sherman DH, Smith JL, Skiniotis, G. (2014). Structural rearrangements of a polyketide synthase module during its catalytic cycle. Nature.
