Biosynthesis of Polymyxin E by a Cell-Free Enzyme System

II. Synthesis of Enzyme-Bound Octanoyldiaminobutyric Acid

Abstract

A partially purified enzyme of Aerobacillus polyaerogenes, which produces polymyxin E, activates L-2, 4-diaminobutyric acid and binds it as a thioester. The incubation of the enzyme preparation with octanoyl coenzyme A and L-2, 4-diaminobutyric acid in the presence of ATP and an ammonium sulfate fraction yields octanoyldiaminobutyric acid thioesterified to the enzyme.