The anthranoid skeleton is believed to be formed by octaketide synthase (OKS), a member of the type III polyketide synthase (PKS) superfamily. Recombinant OKSs catalyze stepwise condensation of eight acetyl units to form a linear octaketide intermediate which, however, is incorrectly folded and cyclized to give the shunt products SEK4 and SEK4b. Here we report in vitro formation of the anthranoid scaffold by cell-free extracts from yeast-extract-treated ...
