Neptune Seminar Series | João Reis | 13 DEZ | 12h

 

"Novel enzymatic esterification involved in the biosynthesis of branched bartolosides"

João Reis
CNP - CIIMAR

The carboxyester formation usually relies on the nucleophilic attack of an alcohol onto the carboxylate carbon. In biological chemistry, fatty acid carboxylates can also perform nucleophilic attacks, but require prior activation (by adenylation). Here, we report a series of novel secondary metabolites consisting on branched versions of the previously known bartolosides (isolated from cyanobacteria from the LEGEcc). Additionally, our studies led to the discovery of a novel enzyme, BrtB, responsible for the esterification between free fatty acid carboxylates and the secondary alkyl moieties found in the bartolosides. Considering both this reactivity and the high abundance of the bartolosides, it is tempting to consider that BrtB function can be used as mechanisms of fatty acid storage or scavenging in these cyanobacteria. 

 

Free entrance. Registration mandatory to divulgacao@ciimar.up.pt