A major portion of DNA gyrase inhibitor microcin B17 undergoes an N,O-peptidyl shift during synthesis.

Microcin B17 (McB) is a 43-amino acid antibacterial peptide targeting the DNA gyrase. The McB precursor is ribosomally produced and then post-translationally modified by the McbBCD synthase. Active mature McB contains eight oxazole and thiazole heterocycles. Here, we show that a major portion of mature McB contains an additional unusual modification, a backbone ester bond connecting McB residues 51 and 52. The modification results from an N → O shift of the Ser(52) residue located immediately downstream of one of McB thiazole heterocycles. We speculate that the N,O-peptidyl shift undergone by Ser(52) is an intermediate of post-translational modification reactions catalyzed by the McbBCD synthase that normally lead to formation of McB heterocycles.