Biosynthesis of Chlorinated Lactylates in Sphaerospermopsis sp. LEGE 00249
Lactylates are an important group of molecules in the food and cosmetic industries. A series of natural halogenated 1-lactylates – chlorosphaerolactyaltes (<b>1</b>-<b>4</b>) – were recently reported from <i>Sphaerospermopsis</i> sp. LEGE 00249. Here, we identify the <i>cly</i> biosynthetic gene cluster, containing all the necessary functionalities to generate and release the natural lactylates. Using a combination of stable isotope-labeled precursor feeding and bioinformatic analysis, we propose that dodecanoic acid and pyruvate are the key building blocks in the biosynthesis of <b>1</b>-<b>4</b>. We additionally report minor analogues of these molecules<b> </b>with varying alkyl chains. The discovery of the <i>cly</i> gene cluster paves the way to accessing industrially-relevant lactylates through pathway engineering.