Consecutive enzymatic modification of ornithine generates the hydroxamate moieties of the siderophore erythrochelin.

Biosynthesis of the hydroxamate-type siderophore erythrochelin requires the generation of δ-N-acetyl-δ-N-hydroxy-L-ornithine (L-haOrn), which is incorporated into the tetrapeptide at positions 1 and 4. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the FAD-dependent monooxygenase EtcB and the bifunctional malonyl-CoA decarboxylase/acetyltransferase Mcd to be putatively involved in the generation of L-haOrn. To investigate if EtcB and Mcd constitute a two-enzyme pathway for the biosynthesis of L-haOrn, they were produced in a recombinant manner and subjected to biochemical studies in vitro. Hydroxylation assays employing recombinant EtcB gave rise to δ-N-hydroxy-L-ornithine (L-hOrn) and confirmed the enzyme to be involved in building block assembly. Acetylation assays were carried out by incubating L-hOrn with recombinant Mcd and malonyl-CoA as the acetyl group donor. Substrate turnover was increased by substituting malonyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA, bypassing the decarboxylation reaction which represents the rate-limiting step. Consecutive enzymatic synthesis of L-haOrn was accomplished in coupled assays employing both the L-ornithine hydroxylase and Mcd. In summary, a biosynthetic route for the generation of δ-N-acetyl-δ-N-hydroxy-L-ornithine starting from L-ornithine has been established in vitro by tandem action of the FAD-dependent monooxygenase EtcB and the bifunctional malonyl-CoA decarboxylase/acetyltransferase Mcd.