Thirtieth Anniversary of the Discovery of Laxaphycins. Intriguing Peptides Keeping a Part of Their Mystery

Lipopeptides are a class of compounds generally produced by microorganisms through hybrid biosynthetic pathways involving non-ribosomal peptide synthase and a polyketyl synthase. Cyanobacterial-produced laxaphycins are examples of this family of compounds that have expanded over the past three decades. These compounds benefit from technological advances helping in their synthesis and characterization, as well as in deciphering their biosynthesis. The present article attempts to summarize most of the articles that have been published on laxaphycins. The current knowledge on the ecological role of these complex sets of compounds will also be examined.

Automated summary

Lipopeptides, such as cyanobacterial-produced laxaphycins, are compounds synthesized by microorganisms through hybrid biosynthetic pathways. Technological advances have aided in the synthesis and characterization of these compounds, as well as in deciphering their biosynthesis. The article attempts to summarize existing knowledge on laxaphycins and examine their ecological role.