Abstract
A toxic determinant of the human skin disease the Buruli ulcer, which is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, has been identified for the first time as containing two polyketides. The novel structures of these twelve-membered macrolides (one of which is shown) reveal an unusual biosynthesis, in which two type 1 polyketide synthases (PKS) have to be involved. There is also evidence that the polyketide toxin might represent the first of a family of virulence factors associated with other mycobacterial diseases, such as leprosy and tuberculosis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2847-2849 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 18 2000 |
Keywords
- Biosynthesis
- Macrolides
- Natural products
- Polyketides
- Toxins
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- Chemistry (all)
