Project 3 Prof. Andreas Bechthold
Studies on F420–dependent oxygenases involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides
Combinatorial biosynthesis can refer to any strategy for the genetic engineering of natural product biosynthesis to obtain new molecules, including the use of genetics for medicinal chemistry. Tailoring enzymes as part of natural compound biosynthesis are of great importance since the individual decoration of a compound often has serious impact on the activity of a substance. In this project we are focusing our work on oxygenases and glycosyltransferases and the cofactors used by these enzymes. We are aiming at understanding the reaction mechanisms of tailoring enzymes and at using the corresponding genes to generate novel molecules. In addition, the crystal structures of enzymes will be elucidated to learn about substrate binding and the mechanistic role of the cofactors aiming at altering substrate specificities. As an example, one project will be about the luciferase like monooxygenases RslO1 most probably catalyzing an unusual Baeyer-Villiger oxidation during rishirilid biosynthesis.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Andreas Bechthold
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology
Stefan-Meier-Str. 19, 79104 Freiburg
Phone: +49 (0) 761 203-8371
Fax: +49 (0) 761 203-8383
email: andreas.bechthold@pharmazie.uni-freiburg.de
https://portal.uni-freiburg.de/pharmbio/ordagbecht/seiteagbechthold