Generation of noncanonical fumagillin derivatives with a twisted cyclohexane conformation through engineered biosynthesis

Fumagillin-class natural products, known as methionine aminopeptidase 2 inhibitors, have been explored as drug candidates for cancer, obesity, and infectious diseases such as amoebiasis. However, clinical development has been hindered by adverse effects. Here, we identified 2 fumagillin analogues via engineered biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, coupled with metabolomics and activity-guided isolation. Spectroscopic analysis revealed unique 6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane scaffolds that are unprecedented among naturally occurring fumagillins. The compounds exhibited selective antiamoebic activity without cytotoxicity to human lung cells. Stereochemical and computational studies suggested that the unique bicyclic system arises from a twist-boat conformer that enables intramolecular ether formation. These findings demonstrate that biosynthetic pathway engineering can expand the chemical diversity of fumagillin-related molecules and provide new leads for antiparasitic drug discovery.