Natural products articles from across Nature Portfolio

RiPP discovery has expanded the scope of post-translational modification chemistry, but genome mining of RiPP classes remains an unsolved challenge. Here, the authors employed bioinformatics and synthetic biology approaches to discover and characterize an unknown class of RiPPs, defined by an unusual amino-modified C-terminus.

A new review article details how new structural insight regarding modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) helps us better understand the organization of catalytic events within a PKS module. The plausible models discussed will likely influence future PKS engineering efforts.

Biosynthesis of complex polyketides by polyketide synthases often relies on trans-acting enzymes to modify the intermediates. Here, the authors elucidate how β-methylation enzymes identify their substrates. The recognition is imperfect, resulting in a doubly β-methylated virginiamycin derivative.