Identification, characterization and molecular adaptation of class I redox systems for the production of hydroxylated diterpenoids

BACKGROUND: De novo production of multi-hydroxylated diterpenoids is challenging due to the lack of efficient redox systems. RESULTS: In this study a new reductase/ferredoxin system from Streptomyces afghaniensis (AfR·Afx) was identified, which allowed the Escherichia coli-based production of the trihydroxylated diterpene cyclooctatin, a potent inhibitor of human lysophospholipase. This production system provides a 43-fold increase in cyclooctatin yield (15 mg/L) compared to the native producer. AfR·Afx is superior in activating the cylcooctatin-specific class I P450s CotB3/CotB4 compared to the conventional Pseudomonas putida derived PdR·Pdx model. To enhance the activity of the PdR·Pdx system, the molecular basis for these activity differences, was examined by molecular engineering. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that redox system engineering can boost and harmonize the catalytic efficiency of class I hydroxylase enzyme cascades. Enhancing CotB3/CotB4 activities also provided for identification of CotB3 substrate promiscuity and sinularcasbane D production, a functionalized diterpenoid originally isolated from the soft coral Sinularia sp. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0487-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.