Abstract
Cyclosporin A and its homologues are synthesized by a single multifunctional enzyme from their precursor amino acids. Cyclosporin synthetase is a polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of approximately 800 kDa. In 3% polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gels it shows a single band of approximately 650 kDa, which appears to not be glycosylated. The enzyme could be purified to near-homogeneity in five steps. A 72-fold purification was obtained. All constitutive amino acids of cyclosporins are activated as thioesters via aminoadenylation by the same enzyme. Then N-methylation of the thioester-bound amino acids which are present in methylated form in the cyclosporin molecule takes place, whereby S-adenosyl-L-methionine serves as the methyl group donor. Methyltransferase activity is an integral entity of the enzyme; this could be shown by a photoaffinity labeling method. 4'-Phosphopantetheine is a prosthetic group of cyclosporin synthetase similar to other peptide and depsipeptide synthetases. Cyclosporin synthetase shows cross-reactions with monoclonal antibodies directed against enniatin synthetase.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 11355-11360 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Biological Chemistry |
Volume | 265 |
Issue number | 19 |
Publication status | Published - 20 Jul 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |