Identification of the Azaserine Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Implicates Hydrazine as an Intermediate to the Diazo Moiety

Azaserine (1) is a natural product and nonproteinogenicamino acid containing a diazo group. Here we report the biosyntheticgene cluster for 1 from Glycomyces harbinensis. We then use isotopic feeding, gene deletion, and biochemical experimentsto support a pathway whereby hydrazinoacetic acid (2)and a peptidyl carrier protein-loaded serine (3) areintermediates on route to the final natural product 1.

Automated summary

This study reports the biosynthetic gene cluster of Azaserine (1) from Glycomyces harbinensis and provides evidence from isotopic feeding, gene deletion, and biochemical experiments for a pathway involving hydrazinoacetic acid (2) and a peptidyl carrier protein-loaded serine (3) as intermediates to the final natural product 1.