Design of α-Keto Carboxylic Acid Dimers by Domain Recombination of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase (NRPS)-Like Enzymes.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzymes comprising A-T-TE architectures catalyze the dimerization of α-keto carboxylic acids leading to the formation of hydroxybenzoquinones or lactones. Domain change experiments with five enzymes revealed that A and A-T domains of phenyl or 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate-using enzymes can be effectively used by the TE domains of other enzymes. Even the A and A-T domains of an indolyl hydroxybenzoquinone synthase were successfully recombined with TE domains of a phenyl and a 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate-activating enzyme.