Metabolic Pathway Rerouting in Evolved Long-Overlooked Derivatives of Coenzyme F.

Coenzyme F is a specialized redox cofactor with a negative redox potential. It supports biochemical processes like methanogenesis, degradation of xenobiotics, and the biosynthesis of antibiotics. Although well-studied in methanogenic archaea and actinobacteria, not much is known about F in Gram-negative bacteria. Genome sequencing revealed F biosynthetic genes in the Gram-negative, endofungal bacterium , a symbiont of phytopathogenic fungi. Fluorescence microscopy, high-resolution LC-MS, and structure elucidation by NMR demonstrated that the encoded pathway is active and yields unexpected derivatives of F (3PG-F). Further analyses of a biogas-producing microbial community showed that these derivatives are more widespread in nature. Genetic and biochemical studies of their biosynthesis established that a specificity switch in the guanylyltransferase CofC reprogrammed the pathway to start from 3-phospho-d-glycerate, suggesting a rerouting event during the evolution of F biosynthesis. Furthermore, the cofactor activity of 3PG-F was validated, thus opening up perspectives for its use in biocatalysis. The 3PG-F biosynthetic gene cluster is fully functional in , enabling convenient production of the cofactor by fermentation.