Chemical Reviews, Vol.117, No.8, 5521-5577, 2017
Enzymatic Carbon-Sulfur Bond Formation in Natural Product Biosynthesis
Sulfur plays a critical role for the development and maintenance of life on earth, which is reflected by the wealth of primary metabolites, macromolecules, and cofactors bearing this element. Whereas a large body of knowledge has existed for sulfur trafficking in primary metabolism, the secondary metabolism involving sulfur has long been neglected. Yet, diverse sulfur functionalities have a major impact on the biological activities of natural products. Recent research at the genetic, biochemical, and chemical levels has unearthed a broad range of enzymes, sulfur shuttles, and chemical mechanisms for generating carbon sulfur bonds. This Review will give the first systematic overview on enzymes catalyzing the formation of organosulfur natural products.