DISCOVERING PATHWAYS FOR NOVEL ANTIMICROBIAL POLYKETIDES

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Polyketides are a structurally diverse group of compounds that include many anti-microbial agents. Most known bloactive polyketides of microbial origin are made by actinomycetes, which are high GC Gram-positive bacteria frequenting both terrestrial and marine environments. Genes dedicated to the synthesis of a particular Type II polyketide are invariably clustered on the actinomycete chromosome and undoubtedly share a common evolutionary origin. Current cloning strategies using DNA hybridization have been limited to known microorganisms. In order to discover novel polyketide biosynthetic pathways from the majority of uncultured microorganisms, we propose an ultra-high-throughput (UHTP) screening technology that is based on Gel MicroDrop (GMD) in situ hybridization coupled with FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting) screening. This technology, which we have called large insert FACS biopanning, will be combined with large insert cloning to capture Escherichia coli clones carrying potential anti-microbial PKS pathways from environmental large insert DNA libraries. In Phase I we will establish the proof of principle by biopanning a known PKS Il pathway from a genomic library and optimize conditions by using a spiked environmental library. The work undertaken in Phase I will provide the groundwork for the isolation of novel Type II PKS pathways from environmental libraries in Phase II. This technology will provide a powerful new approach to the discovery of novel PKS pathways and ultimately novel anti-microbial compounds from nature.