α-proteobacteria synthesize biotin precursor pimeloyl-ACP using BioZ 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase and lysine catabolism

Abstract

Biosynthesis of biotin precursor, pimelate moiety, is elucidated in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, but not understood in alphaproteobacteria. Here, the authors show that BioZ, a 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, catalayses pimeloyl-thioester synthesis in alphaproteobacteria using malonyl-ACP and glutaryl-CoA that is derived from lysine degradation.