Engineering the Substrate Specificity of (S)-ß-Phenylalanine Adenylation Enzyme HitB.

Adenylation enzymes catalyze the selective incorporation of aminoacyl building blocks in the biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptides and related natural products. Although ß-amino acid units are one of the important aminoacyl building blocks in natural product biosynthesis, very little is known about the engineering of ß-amino acid adenylation enzymes. In this study, we engineered the substrate specificity of the (S)-ß-phenylalanine adenylation enzyme, HitB, involved in the biosynthesis of macrolactam polyketide hitachimycin. Based on the previously determined structure of HitB wild-type, we mutated Phe328 and Ser293, which are located near the meta and ortho position of the (S)-ß-phenylalanine moiety, respectively. As a result, the HitB F328V and F328L mutants efficiently activated meta-substituted (S)-ß-phenylalanine analogs, and the HitB T293G and T293S mutants efficiently activated ortho-substituted (S)-ß-phenylalanine analogs. Structural analysis of the HitB F328L and T293G mutants with the corresponding nonhydrolyzable intermediate analogs revealed an enlarged substrate binding pocket for (S)-ß-phenylalanine analogs, providing detailed insights into the structural basis for creating enzyme substrate promiscuity. Our findings may be useful for production of various ß-amino acid-containing natural product analogs.

The Post-Polyketide Synthase Modification Mechanism in Hitachimycin Biosynthesis.

Hitachimycin is a bicyclic macrolactam antibiotic with (S)-ß-phenylalanine (ß-Phe) at the starter position of the polyketide skeleton. While the enzymes that recognize ß-amino acids, modify the aminoacyl groups, and transfer the resultant dipeptide groups to the acyl carrier protein domains of polyketide synthases (PKSs) have been studied extensively, the post-PKS modification mechanism responsible for constructing the unique bicyclic structure of hitachimycin remains elusive. In this study, we first inactivated six genes encoding putative post-PKS modification enzymes, namely hitM1 to hitM6, in Streptomyces scabrisporus to determine their involvement in hitachimycin biosynthesis. The ΔhitM4 strain accumulated an all-trans-2,4,6,8,18-pentaene macrolactam, which was confirmed as a true intermediate in hitachimycin biosynthesis by cellular feeding experiments, and appears to be the initial intermediate in the post-PKS modification pathway. The ΔhitM1 strain accumulated 10-O-demethyl-10-oxohitachimycin (M1-A). In enzymatic experiments, M1-A was reduced by the NAD(P)H-dependent reductase HitM1 in the presence of NADPH. The product of the reaction catalyzed by HitM1 was converted to hitachimycin by the methyltransferase HitM6. We thus propose a plausible post-PKS modification mechanism for the biosynthesis of hitachimycin.

Structural Basis of Transient Interactions of Acyltransferase VinK with the Loading Acyl Carrier Protein of the Vicenistatin Modular Polyketide Synthase.

Acyltransferase (AT) recognizes its cognate acyl carrier protein (ACP) for functional transfer of an acyl unit in polyketide biosynthesis. However, structural characterization of AT-ACP complexes is limited because of the weak and transient interactions between them. In the biosynthesis of macrolactam polyketide vicenistatin, the trans-acting loading AT VinK transfers a dipeptidyl unit from the stand-alone ACP VinL to the ACP domain (VinP1ACPL) of the loading module of modular polyketide synthase VinP1. Although the previously determined structure of the VinK-VinL complex clearly illustrates the VinL recognition mechanism of VinK, how VinK recognizes VinP1ACPL remains unclear. Here, the crystal structure of a covalent VinK-VinP1ACPL complex formed with a pantetheine-type cross-linking probe is reported at 3.0 Å resolution. The structure of the VinK-VinP1ACPL complex provides detailed insights into the transient interactions between VinK and VinP1ACPL. The importance of residues in the binding interface was confirmed by site-directed mutational analyses. The binding interface between VinK and VinP1ACPL is similar to that between VinK and VinL, although some of the interface residues are different. However, the ACP orientation and interaction mode observed in the VinK-VinP1ACPL complex are different from those observed in other AT-ACP complexes such as the disorazole trans-AT-ACP complex and cis-AT-ACP complexes of modular polyketide synthases. Thus, AT-ACP binding interface interactions are different in each type of AT-ACP pair.

Acyltransferase Domain Exchange between Two Independent Type†I Polyketide Synthases in the Same Producer Strain of Macrolide Antibiotics.

Streptomyces graminofaciens A-8890 produces two macrolide antibiotics, FD-891 and virustomycin A, both of which show significant biological activity. In this study, we identified the virustomycin A biosynthetic gene cluster, which encodes type I polyketide synthases (PKSs), ethylmalonyl-CoA biosynthetic enzymes, methoxymalony-acyl carrier protein biosynthetic enzymes, and post-PKS modification enzymes. Next, we demonstrated that the acyltransferase domain can be exchanged between the Vsm PKSs and the PKSs involved in FD-891 biosynthesis (Gfs PKSs), without any supply problems of the unique extender units. We exchanged the malonyltransferase domain in the loading module of Gfs PKS with the ethylmalonyltransferase domain and the methoxymalonyltransferase domain of Vsm PKSs. Consequently, the expected two-carbon-elongated analog 26-ethyl-FD-891 was successfully produced with a titer comparable to FD-891 production by the wild type; however, exchange with the methoxymalonyltransferase domain did not produce any FD-891 analogs. Furthermore, 26-ethyl-FD-891 showed potent cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells, like natural FD-891.

Biosynthesis of cyclitols.

Review covering up to 2021Cyclitols derived from carbohydrates are naturally stable hydrophilic substances under ordinary physiological conditions, increasing the water solubility of whole molecules in cells. The stability of cyclitols is derived from their carbocyclic structures bearing no acetal groups, in contrast to sugar molecules. Therefore, carbocycle-forming reactions are critical for the biosynthesis of cyclitols. Herein, we review naturally occurring cyclitols that have been identified to date and categorize them according to the type of carbocycle-forming enzymatic reaction. Furthermore, the cyclitol-forming enzymatic reaction mechanisms and modification pathways of the initially generated cyclitols are reviewed.

Protein-Protein Recognition Involved in the Intermodular Transacylation Reaction in Modular Polyketide Synthase in the Biosynthesis of Vicenistatin.

The ketosynthase (KS) domain is a core domain found in modular polyketide synthases (PKSs). To maintain the polyketide biosynthetic fidelity, the KS domain must only accept an acyl group from the acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain of the immediate upstream module even when they are separated into different polypeptides. Although it was reported that both the docking domain-based interactions and KS-ACP compatibility are important for the interpolypeptide transacylation reaction in 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase, it is not clear whether these findings are broadly applied to other modular PKSs. Herein, we describe the importance of protein-protein recognition in the intermodular transacylation between VinP1 module 3 and VinP2 module 4 in vicenistatin biosynthesis. We compared the transacylation activity and crosslinking efficiency of VinP2 KS4 against the cognate VinP1 ACP3 with the noncognate one. As a result, it appeared that VinP2 KS4 distinguishes the cognate ACP3 from other ACPs.

Rapamycin directly activates lysosomal mucolipin TRP channels independent of mTOR.

Rapamycin (Rap) and its derivatives, called rapalogs, are being explored in clinical trials targeting cancer and neurodegeneration. The underlying mechanisms of Rap actions, however, are not well understood. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a lysosome-localized protein kinase that acts as a critical regulator of cellular growth, is believed to mediate most Rap actions. Here, we identified mucolipin 1 (transient receptor potential channel mucolipin 1 [TRPML1], also known as MCOLN1), the principle Ca2+ release channel in the lysosome, as another direct target of Rap. Patch-clamping of isolated lysosomal membranes showed that micromolar concentrations of Rap and some rapalogs activated lysosomal TRPML1 directly and specifically. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic inactivation of mTOR failed to mimic the Rap effect. In vitro binding assays revealed that Rap bound directly to purified TRPML1 proteins with a micromolar affinity. In both healthy and disease human fibroblasts, Rap and rapalogs induced autophagic flux via nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB). However, such effects were abolished in TRPML1-deficient cells or by TRPML1 inhibitors. Hence, Rap and rapalogs promote autophagy via a TRPML1-dependent mechanism. Given the demonstrated roles of TRPML1 and TFEB in cellular clearance, we propose that lysosomal TRPML1 may contribute a significant portion to the in vivo neuroprotective and anti-aging effects of Rap via an augmentation of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis.

Biochemical and Mutational Analysis of Radical S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Adenosylhopane Synthase HpnH from Zymomonas mobilis Reveals that the Conserved Residue Cysteine-106 Reduces a Radical Intermediate and Determines the Stereochemistry.

Adenosylhopane is a crucial precursor of C35 hopanoids, which are believed to modulate the fluidity and permeability of bacterial cell membranes. Adenosylhopane is formed by a crosslinking reaction between diploptene and a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical that is generated by the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzyme HpnH. We previously showed that HpnH from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) (ScHpnH) converts diploptene to (22R)-adenosylhopane. However, the mechanism of the stereoselective C-C bond formation was unclear. Thus, here, we performed biochemical and mutational analysis of another HpnH, from the ethanol-producing bacterium Zymomonas mobilis (ZmHpnH). Similar to ScHpnH, wild-type ZmHpnH afforded (22R)-adenosylhopane. Conserved cysteine and tyrosine residues were suggested as possible hydrogen sources to quench the putative radical reaction intermediate. A Cys106Ala mutant of ZmHpnH had one-fortieth the activity of the wild-type enzyme and yielded both (22R)- and (22S)-adenosylhopane along with some related byproducts. Radical trapping experiments with a spin-trapping agent supported the generation of a radical intermediate in the ZmHpnH-catalyzed reaction. We propose that the thiol of Cys106 stereoselectively reduces the radical intermediate generated at the C22 position by the addition of the 5'-deoxadenosyl radical to diploptene, to complete the reaction.

Substrate specificity of Chondroitinase ABC I based on analyses of biochemical reactions and crystal structures in complex with disaccharides.

Chondroitinase ABC I (cABC-I) is the enzyme which cleaves the ß-1,4 glycosidic linkage of chondroitin sulfate (CS) by ß-elimination. To elucidate more accurately the substrate specificity of cABC-I, we evaluated the kinetic parameters of cABC-I and its reactivity with CS isomers displaying less structural heterogeneity as substrates, e.g., approximately 90 percent of disaccharide units in Chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) or Chondroitin sulfate C (CSC) is D-glucuronic acid and 4-O-sulfated N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) (A-unit) or D-glucuronic acid and 6-O-sulfated GalNAc (C-unit), respectively. cABC-I showed the highest reactivity to CSA and CSC among all CS isomers, and the kcat/Km of cABC-I was higher for CSA than for CSC. Next, we determined the crystal structures of cABC-I in complex with CS disaccharides, and analyzed the crystallographic data in combination with molecular docking data. Arg500 interacts with 4-O-sulfated and 6-O-sulfated GalNAc residues. The distance between Arg500 and the 4-O-sulfate group was 0.8 Å shorter than that between Arg500 and the 6-O-sulfated group. Moreover, it is likely that the 6-O-sulfated group is electrostatically repulsed by the nearby Asp490. Thus, we demonstrated that cABC-I has the highest affinity for the CSA richest in 4-O-sulfated GalNAc residues among all CS isomers. Recently, cABC-I was used to treat lumbar disc herniation. The results provide useful information to understand the mechanism of the pharmacological action of cABC-I.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults after Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Japan.

In Japan, a 51-year-old man had minimally symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome was diagnosed ≈5 weeks later; characteristics included severe inflammation, cardiac dysfunction, and IgG positivity. Clinicians should obtain detailed history and examine IgG levels for cases of inflammatory disease with unexplained cardiac decompensation.

Stepwise Post-glycosylation Modification of Sugar Moieties in Kanamycin Biosynthesis.

Kanamycin A is the major 2-deoxystreptamine (2DOS)-containing aminoglycoside antibiotic produced by Streptomyces kanamyceticus. The 2DOS moiety is linked with 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-glucose (6ADG) at O-4 and 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-glucose at O-6. Because the 6ADG moiety is derived from d-glucosamine (GlcN), deamination at C-2 and introduction of C-6-NH2 are required in the biosynthesis. A dehydrogenase, KanQ, and an aminotransferase, KanB, are presumed to be responsible for the introduction of C-6-NH2 , although the substrates have not been identified. Here, we examined the substrate specificity of KanQ to better understand the biosynthetic pathway. It was found that KanQ oxidized kanamycin C more efficiently than the 3''-deamino derivative. Furthermore, the substrate specificity of an oxygenase, KanJ, that is responsible for deamination at C-2 of the GlcN moiety was examined, and the crystal structure of KanJ was determined. It was found that C-6-NH2 is important for substrate recognition by KanJ. Thus, the modification of the GlcN moiety occurs after pseudo-trisaccharide formation, followed by the introduction of C-6-NH2 by KanQ/KanB and deamination at C-2 by KanJ.

One-pot enzymatic synthesis of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose from d-glucose and polyphosphate.

2-Deoxy-scyllo-inosose (2DOI, [2S,3R,4S,5R]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexan-1-one) is a biosynthetic intermediate of 2-deoxystreptamine-containing aminoglycoside antibiotics, including butirosin, kanamycin, and neomycin. In producer microorganisms, 2DOI is constructed from d-glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) by 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose synthase (DOIS) with the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). 2DOI is also known as a sustainable biomaterial for production of aromatic compounds and a chiral cyclohexane synthon. In this study, a one-pot enzymatic synthesis of 2DOI from d-glucose and polyphosphate was investigated. First, 3 polyphosphate glucokinases (PPGKs) were examined to produce G6P from d-glucose and polyphosphate. A PPGK derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum (cgPPGK) was found to be suitable for G6P production under ordinary enzymatic conditions. Next, 7 DOISs were examined for the one-pot enzymatic reaction. As a result, cgPPGK and BtrC, the latter of which is a DOIS derived from the butirosin producer Bacillus circulans, achieved nearly full conversion of d-glucose to 2DOI in the presence of polyphosphate.

Biochemical and Structural Analysis of a Dehydrogenase, KanD2, and an Aminotransferase, KanS2, That Are Responsible for the Construction of the Kanosamine Moiety in Kanamycin Biosynthesis.

Kanosamine (3-amino-3-deoxy-d-glucose) is a characteristic sugar unit found in kanamycins, a group of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The kanosamine moiety originates from d-glucose in kanamycin biosynthesis. However, the timing of the replacement of the 3-OH group of the d-glucose-derived biosynthetic intermediate with the amino group is elusive. Comparison of biosynthetic gene clusters for related aminoglycoside antibiotics suggests that the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent dehydrogenase KanD2 and the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent aminotransferase KanS2 are responsible for the introduction of the amino group at the C3 position of kanosamine. In this study, we demonstrated that KanD2 and KanS2 convert kanamycin A, B, and C to the corresponding 3″-deamino-3″-hydroxykanamycins (3″-hks) in the presence of PLP, 2-oxoglutarate, and NADH via a reverse reaction in the pathway. Furthermore, we observed that all of the 3″-hks are oxidized by KanD2 with NAD+, but d-glucose, UDP-d-glucose, d-glucose 6-phosphate, and d-glucose 1-phosphate are not. Crystal structure analysis of KanD2 complexed with 3″-hkB and NADH illustrated the selective recognition of pseudotrisaccharides, especially the d-glucose moiety with 2-deoxystreptamine, by a combination of hydrogen bonds and CH-π interactions. Overall, it was clarified that the kanosamine moiety of kanamycins is constructed after the glucosylation of the pseudodisaccharide biosynthetic intermediates in kanamycin biosynthesis.

Characterization of Radical SAM Adenosylhopane Synthase, HpnH, which Catalyzes the 5'-Deoxyadenosyl Radical Addition to Diploptene in the Biosynthesis of C35 Bacteriohopanepolyols.

Adenosylhopane is a crucial intermediate in the biosynthesis of bacteriohopanepolyols, which are widespread prokaryotic membrane lipids. Herein, it is demonstrated that reconstituted HpnH, a putative radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzyme, commonly encoded in the hopanoid biosynthetic gene cluster, converts diploptene into adenosylhopane in the presence of SAM, flavodoxin, flavodoxin reductase, and NADPH. NMR spectra of the enzymatic reaction product were identical to those of synthetic (22R)-adenosylhopane, indicating that HpnH catalyzes stereoselective C-C formation between C29 of diploptene and C5' of 5'-deoxyadenosine. Further, the HpnH reaction in D2 O-containing buffer revealed that a D atom was incorporated at the C22 position of adenosylhopane. Based on these results, we propose a radical addition reaction mechanism catalyzed by HpnH for the formation of the C35 bacteriohopane skeleton.

Functional and Structural Analyses of the Split-Dehydratase Domain in the Biosynthesis of Macrolactam Polyketide Cremimycin.

In the biosynthesis of the macrolactam antibiotic cremimycin, the 3-aminononanoic acid starter unit is formed via a non-2-enoyl acyl carrier protein thioester intermediate, which is presumed to be constructed by cis-acyltransferase (AT) polyketide synthases (PKSs) CmiP2, CmiP3, and CmiP4. While canonical cis-AT PKS modules are comprised of a single polypeptide, the PKS module formed by CmiP2 and CmiP3 is split within the dehydratase (DH) domain. Here, we report the enzymatic function and the structural features of this split-DH domain. In vitro analysis showed that the split-DH domain catalyzes the dehydration reaction of (R)-3-hydroxynonanoyl N-acetylcysteamine thioester (SNAC) to form (E)-non-2-enoyl-SNAC, suggesting that the split-DH domain is catalytically active in cremimycin biosynthesis. In addition, structural analysis revealed that the CmiP2 and CmiP3 subunits of the split-DH domain form a tightly associated heterodimer through several hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, which are similar to those of canonical DH domains of other cis-AT PKSs. These results indicate that the split-DH domain has the same function and structure as common cis-AT PKS DH domains.

Stereochemistry in the Reaction of the myo-Inositol Phosphate Synthase Ortholog Ari2 during Aristeromycin Biosynthesis.

The myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) ortholog Ari2, which is encoded in the aristeromycin biosynthetic gene cluster, catalyzes the formation of five-membered cyclitol phosphate using d-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) as a substrate. To understand the stereochemistry during the Ari2 reaction in vivo, we carried out feeding experiments with (6S)-d-[6-2H1]- and (6R)-d-[6-2H1]glucose in the aristeromycin-producing strain Streptomyces citricolor. We observed retention of the 2H atom of (6S)-d-[6-2H1]glucose and no incorporation of the 2H atom from (6R)-d-[6-2H1]glucose in aristeromycin. This indicates that Ari2 abstracts the pro-R proton at C6 of F6P after oxidation of C5-OH by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to generate the enolate intermediate, which then attacks the C2 ketone to form the C-C bond via aldol-type condensation. The reaction of Ari2 with (6S)-d-[6-2H1]- and (6R)-d-[6-2H1]F6P in vitro exhibited identical stereochemistry compared with that observed during the feeding experiments. Furthermore, analysis of the crystal structure of Ari2, including NAD+ as a ligand, revealed the active site of Ari2 to be similar to that of MIPS of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, supporting the similarity of the reaction mechanisms of Ari2 and MIPS.

Structural Analysis of the Glycine Oxidase Homologue CmiS2 Reveals a Unique Substrate Recognition Mechanism for Formation of a ß-Amino Acid Starter Unit in Cremimycin Biosynthesis.

The flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent oxidase CmiS2 catalyzes the oxidation of N-carboxymethyl-3-aminononanoic acid to produce a 3-aminononanoic acid starter unit for the biosynthesis of cremimycin, a macrolactam polyketide. Although the sequence of CmiS2 is similar with that of the well-characterized glycine oxidase ThiO, the chemical structure of the substrate of CmiS2 is different from that of ThiO substrate glycine. Here, we present the biochemical and structural characterization of CmiS2. Kinetic analysis revealed that CmiS2 has a strong preference for N-carboxymethyl-3-aminononanoic acid over other substrates such as N-carboxymethyl-3-aminobutanoic acid and glycine, suggesting that CmiS2 recognizes the nonanoic acid moiety of the substrate as well as the glycine moiety. We determined the crystal structure of CmiS2 in complex with a substrate analogue, namely, S-carboxymethyl-3-thiononanoic acid, which enabled the identification of key amino acid residues involved in substrate recognition. We discovered that Asn49, Arg243, and Arg334 interact with the carboxyl group of the nonanoic acid moiety, while Pro46, Leu52, and Ile335 recognize the alkyl chain of the nonanoic acid moiety via hydrophobic interaction. These residues are highly conserved in CmiS2 homologues involved in the biosynthesis of related macrolactam polyketides but are not conserved in glycine oxidases such as ThiO. These results suggest that CmiS2-type enzymes employ a distinct mechanism of substrate recognition for the synthesis of ß-amino acids.

Functional Characterization of 3-Aminobenzoic Acid Adenylation Enzyme PctU and UDP-N-Acetyl-d-Glucosamine: 3-Aminobenzoyl-ACP Glycosyltransferase PctL in Pactamycin Biosynthesis.

Pactamycin is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces pactum with antitumor and antimalarial properties. Pactamycin has a unique aminocyclitol core that is decorated with 3-aminoacetophenone, 6-methylsaliciate, and an N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl group. Herein, we show that the adenylation enzyme PctU activates 3-aminobenzoic acid (3ABA) with adenosine triphosphate and ligates it to the holo form of the discrete acyl carrier protein PctK to yield 3ABA-PctK. Then, 3ABA-PctK is N-glycosylated with uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) by the glycosyltransferase PctL to yield GlcNAc-3ABA-PctK. Because 3ABA is known to be a precursor of the 3-aminoacetophenone moiety, PctU appears to be a gatekeeper that selects the appropriate 3-aminobenzoate starter unit. Overall, we propose that acyl carrier protein-bound glycosylated 3ABA derivatives are biosynthetic intermediates of pactamycin biosynthesis.

Structural basis of the nonribosomal codes for nonproteinogenic amino acid selective adenylation enzymes in the biosynthesis of natural products.

Nonproteinogenic amino acids are the unique building blocks of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) and hybrid nonribosomal peptide-polyketides (NRP-PKs) and contribute to their diversity of chemical structures and biological activities. In the biosynthesis of NRPs and NRP-PKs, adenylation enzymes select and activate an amino acid substrate as an aminoacyl adenylate, which reacts with the thiol of the holo form of the carrier protein to afford an aminoacyl thioester as the electrophile for the condensation reaction. Therefore, the substrate specificity of adenylation enzymes is a key determinant of the structure of NRPs and NRP-PKs. Here, we focus on nonproteinogenic amino acid selective adenylation enzymes, because understanding their unique selection mechanisms will lead to accurate functional predictions and protein engineering toward the rational biosynthesis of designed molecules containing amino acids. Based on recent progress in the structural analysis of adenylation enzymes, we discuss the nonribosomal codes of nonproteinogenic amino acid selective adenylation enzymes.

Structure-based analysis of the molecular interactions between acyltransferase and acyl carrier protein in vicenistatin biosynthesis.

Acyltransferases (ATs) are key determinants of building block specificity in polyketide biosynthesis. Despite the importance of protein-protein interactions between AT and acyl carrier protein (ACP) during the acyltransfer reaction, the mechanism of ACP recognition by AT is not understood in detail. Herein, we report the crystal structure of AT VinK, which transfers a dipeptide group between two ACPs, VinL and VinP1LdACP, in vicenistatin biosynthesis. The isolated VinK structure showed a unique substrate-binding pocket for the dipeptide group linked to ACP. To gain greater insight into the mechanism of ACP recognition, we attempted to crystallize the VinK-ACP complexes. Because transient enzyme-ACP complexes are difficult to crystallize, we developed a covalent cross-linking strategy using a bifunctional maleimide reagent to trap the VinK-ACP complexes, allowing the determination of the crystal structure of the VinK-VinL complex. In the complex structure, Arg-153, Met-206, and Arg-299 of VinK interact with the negatively charged helix II region of VinL. The VinK-VinL complex structure allows, to our knowledge, the first visualization of the interaction between AT and ACP and provides detailed mechanistic insights into ACP recognition by AT.