Insights into Caerulomycin A Biosynthesis: A Two-Component Monooxygenase CrmH-Catalyzed Oxime Formation

The immunosuppressive agent caerulomycin A features a unique 2,2'-bipyridine core structure and an unusual oxime functionality. Genetic and biochemical evidence confirms that the oxime formation in caerulomycin A biosynthesis is catalyzed by CrmH, a flavin-dependent two-component monooxygenase that is compatible with multiple flavin reductases, from a primary amine via a N-hydroxylamine intermediate. Structure homologue-guided site-directed mutagenesis studies identify four amino acid residues that are essential for CrmH catalysis. This study provides the first biochemical evidence of a two-component monooxygenase that catalyzes oxime formation.