Natural product biosynthesis

Pandoraea bacteria clip a swarming peptide's lipid tail to make a better iron binder

Leibniz-HKI researchers found Pandoraea bacteria use the enzyme PdnM to cut a swarming surfactant's lipid tail, turning it into a better iron binder. In five strains the mix of the two forms seemed to follow habitat, a link that still needs a controlled test.