Lasso peptides are a class of ribosomal natural products (RNPs) that have a unique fold, exceptional stability and a wide range of function. Their biosynthesis relies on the action of two enzymes that mature the precursor peptide into its final fold. Implementation of homology based searches for discovering novel lasso peptides is problematic due to the short length of the precursor, as well as, the lack of consensus sequences for the maturation machinery. Furthermore, experimental approaches aimed at isolating novel lasso peptides from known RNP producers is difficult due to potential gene silencing in the host organism. Fortunately, the structural features of lasso peptides restrict the sequence space of the precursor in a way that can be exploited to identify new lasso peptide gene clusters. We will present the results of this precursor-centric approach to identify novel lasso peptides in sequenced bacterial genomes.  In addition, we will describe our experimental efforts toward heterologous expression of these novel lasso peptides in E. coli.

Precursor-centric genome mining approach to novel lasso peptide discovery

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.