DNA encoding and biosynthetic process for the preparation of chemical compounds, lantibiotics

摘要

A bacterial host is described which is transformed by a plasmid coding for a polypeptide precursor wherein the host comprises a multi-enzyme complex capable of reacting with the expressed polypeptide precursor to produce a polypeptide comprising at least one dehydroamino acid and/or at least one lanthionine bridge. A process for producing a polypeptide comprising at least one dehydroamino acid and/or at least one lanthionine bridge, such as gallidermin, is also described. A plasmid capable of transforming a bacterial host is additionally described. Also disclosed are recombinant DNA molecules which specify Epi B, Epi C, Epi D, Epi P and Epi Q, enzymes which are involved in the biosynthesis of lantibiotic epidermin.