Polyketides are
secondary metabolites from
bacteria,
fungi,
plants, and
animals. Polyketides are
biosynthesized by the
polymerization of
acetyl and
propionyl subunits in a similar process to
fatty acid synthesis (a
Claisen condensation).
[1] They are the building blocks for a broad range of
natural products or are further
derivatized.
Polyketides are structurally a very diverse family of natural products with diverse biological activities and pharmacological properties. Polyketide antibiotics, antifungals, cytostatics, anticholesterolemics, antiparasitics, coccidiostatics, animal growth promoters and natural insecticides are in commercial use.[citation needed]
Polyketides are synthesized by one or more specialized and highly complex polyketide synthase (PKS) enzymes. [1]
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