Phylogenomic analysis of polyketide synthase genes in actinomycetes: structural analysis of KS domains and modules of polyketide synthases

Abstract

Polyketides are complex and diverse secondary metabolites, synthesised by large multifunctional enzymes, Polyketide Synthases (PKS). The phylogenomic analysis of β-ketosynthase (KS) domains and PKSs within actinomycetes suggests the contribution of point mutations, gene duplications, horizontal gene transfer and homologous recombination in the evolution of PKSs. PKS genealogy suggested the ancestral module structure with KS-AT-ACP domain composition. KS domains showed similar core and highly variable loop regions at the dimer interface, which seems to affect the selectivity of the primer unit. In PKS modules, the linker regions comprise a significant fraction of the module. The reducing domains (ketoreductase and dehydrogenase) protrude out from the central axis of the module and also responsible for extreme variability in the final products. Thus, phylogenomic and structural analysis of PKSs can assist in the artificial reprogramming of PKSs.