Polyketides constitute a structurally and functionally diverse group of secondary metabolites produced by bacteria, fungi and plants. Macrocyclic polyketides are produced principally by actinomycetes using modular polyketide synthases which are giant multienzymes. These enzymes are potentially valuable for the biosynthesis of novel compounds. Engineered, hybrid polyketide synthases catalyse the formation of simple statin analogues, macrolactone ring analogues, and biologically active glycosylated compounds.
K. Kuczek, Zaklad Mikrobiologii, Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doswiadczalnej im. L. Hirszfelda, Polska Akademia Nauk, ul. R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland