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Biochemistry

Uncharted route for antibiotics

In their battle for survival, soil microorganisms produce a vast arsenal of toxic molecules. One such toxin contains a unique sequence of atoms, and its biosynthesis includes some unexpected steps.

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Figure 1: Key steps in the biosynthesis of phosphinothricin.

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Quinn, J. Uncharted route for antibiotics. Nature 448, 415–416 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/448415a

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