The radical SAM superfamily of enzymes provides, yet again, fertile ground for the discovery of amazing new biochemical transformations. Strong evidence is now presented for an unprecedented radical fragmentation-recombination of L-tryptophan to a derivative that is incorporated into the complex antibiotic nosiheptide, highlighting the versatility of radical mechanisms for complex biochemical reactions.
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Arcinas, A., Booker, S. Radical break-up, blissful make-up. Nat Chem Biol 7, 133–134 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.528
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.528