Nature's protection racket.
(2S)-4-amino-2-hydroxybutyrate (AHBA) is a side chain that is important for the antibiotic activities of aminoglycosides. The elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway to AHBA, by Spencer et al. in this issue of Chemistry & Biology [1], reveals several surprises and will facilitate biosynthetic engineering of new improved aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Micklefield
Jason
J
School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Sackville Street, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK.
D000586:Amination; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D015195:Drug Design; D006031:Glycosylation
D000596:Amino Acids; D000613:Aminobutyrates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C005959:2,4-diaminobutyric acid