Hunt for reactive metabolites uncovers unusual chemistry in a human pathogen

Key Points

• To uncover the chemistry of reactive metabolites produced by a human pathogen and their potential applications.
• Developed a workflow for selectively capturing reactive diazo compounds.
• Investigated bacterial synthesis processes for diazo-containing molecules.
• Isolated and characterized associated enzymes responsible for diazo group formation.
• Discovered two new diazo-containing molecules from a lung disease-causing bacterium.
• Identified an enzyme involved in constructing the diazo group with potential for broader applications.