An Enzymatic Domain for the Formation of Cyclic Ethers in Complex Polyketides

Champion cyclist: In vitro studies on the pederin biosynthetic pathway identify pyran synthases (PS) as a new family of polyketide synthase domains that stereoselectively form diverse five- and six-membered ether rings by oxa-conjugate cyclization during carbon-chain elongation. These domains could be useful tools for chemoenzymatic synthesis.