Extended polyene formation by a cryptic iterative polyketide synthase from

Many reactive intermediates leading to high value molecules are biosynthesised by multifunctional enzymes in Actinobacteria. Herein we report the workings of a cryptic iterative polyketide synthase (iPKS) from the marine microorganism Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4. The iPKS generates extended polyenes up to C22 nonaenes, preluding novel chemistry and biology. Investigations of the workings of a newly identified iterative polyketide synthase from Rhodococcus erythropolis PR4 reveal its ability to synthesise extended polyenes.