Undecylprodigiosin is an alkaloid produced by some Actinomycetes bacteria. It is a member of the prodiginines group of natural products and has been investigated for potential antimalarial activity.
Undecylprodigiosin is a secondary metabolite found in some Actinomycetes, for example Actinomadura madurae, Streptomyces coelicolor and Streptomyces longisporus.[1]
The biosynthesis of undecylprodigiosin starts with PCP apoprotein which is transformed into the holoprotein using acetyl CoA and PPtase then adenylation occurs utilizing L-proline and ATP. The resulting molecule is then oxidized by dehydrogenase enzyme. Elongation by decarboxylative condensation with malonyl CoA is followed by another decarboxylative condensation with L-serine using α-oxamine synthase (OAS) domain. The compound is then cyclized, oxidized with dehydrogenase and methylated with SAM to give 4-methoxy-2,2′-bipyrrole-5-carboxaldehyde (MBC) intermediate which react with 2-undecylpyrrole (2-UP) to give undecylprodigiosin.[2]
The first total synthesis of the undecylprodigiosin was published in 1966, confirming the chemical structure. As with the biosynthesis, the key intermediate was MBC.[3]
As with other prodiginines, the compound has been investigated for its pharmaceutical potential as anticancer, immunosuppressant, or antimalarial agent.[1] [4]