The Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for Sestermobaraenes-Discovery of a Geranylfarnesyl Diphosphate Synthase and a Multiproduct Sesterterpene Synthase from Streptomyces mobaraensis.

A biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces mobaraensis encoding the first cases of a bacterial geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase and a type I sesterterpene synthase was identified. The structures of seven sesterterpenes produced by these enzymes were elucidated, including their absolute configurations. The enzyme mechanism of the sesterterpene synthase was investigated by extensive isotope labeling experiments.