
Due to the high variability of their sequences (specific for each pathway) and their short length (usually <120 amino acids, AAs), the genes encoding these precursor peptides are sometimes not annotated in databases, so are not ideal starting points for the discovery of new RiPP BGCs. The unmodified leader peptide region is then cleaved as a late-stage step in the pathway. These are made to a core peptide region of the precursor peptide, which is usually at its C-terminus.
#Cytoscape assign colors to different clusters series
The biosynthesis of RiPPs is characterized by the use of a genetically encoded precursor peptide as a substrate for a series of chemical modifications catalyzed by clustered tailoring enzymes (Fig. This is a consequence of: (a) the unrivalled chemical diversity of their biosynthetic pathways, and (b) a lack of unifying features that could be employed as general rules for their detection. However, it is much more challenging to use standard genome mining methods to comprehensively identify BGCs for ribosomally synthetized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), one of the major classes of specialized metabolites. ), as well as smaller BGCs containing characteristic enzymes (e.g., terpene synthases or cyclodipeptide synthases). Synthases (PKSs) or non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs Standard genome mining approaches have proven to be very effective for the identification of BGCs containing large modular biosynthetic systems, as in the case of polyketide These strategies are focused on the bioinformaticĮxploration of growing genomic databases for the identification of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for making novel bioactive compounds, thus avoiding re-discovery of already known molecules. In the last 15 years, traditional bioactivity-based discovery methods have found an invaluable sidekick in “genome mining” approaches that leverage affordable next-generation genome sequencing. Microbial specialized metabolites (also known as secondary metabolites or natural products) constitute an essential source of bioactive molecules for both pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. This includes some key updates to RiPPER (updated to version 1.1), which substantially simplify implementing this workflow. In addition, using TfuA proteins of Alphaproteobacteria as an example, we present a complete workflow which integrates the functionalities of RiPPER with existing bioinformatic tools into a complete genome mining strategy. In this chapter we provide detailed guidelines on using RiPPER, a recently developed RiPP-oriented genome mining tool conceived for the exploration of genomic database diversity in a flexible manner, thus allowing the discovery of truly new RiPP chemistry.

However, the discovery of new groups of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) by employing the currently available genome mining tools has proven challenging due to their inherent biases towards previously known RiPP families. In recent years, genome mining has become a powerful strategy for the discovery of new specialized metabolites from microorganisms.
