Characterization of vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidases involved in the production of brominated sesquiterpenes by the red alga Laurencia okamurae

The red algal genus Laurencia produces abundant brominated metabolites, including cuparane- and laurane-type brominated sesquiterpenes. In order to gain insights into the biosynthesis mechanisms for brominated compounds, we focused on the vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidase (V-BPO). Four members of the homologous genes encoding for V-BPO were obtained from L. okamurae by PCR amplification. The recombinant V-BPO protein produced in Escherichia coli exhibited a significant brominating activity to monochlorodimedone. The function of V-BPO was examined by an assay using nerolidol as a relevant natural substrate. The enzyme properties of V-BPO were compared with those of related halogenating enzymes. The results indicate that V-BPO is one of the key enzymes responsible for the production of brominated compounds in Laurencia.