Ribosomal synthesis of an amphotericin-B inspired macrocycle

Here we report in vitro ribosomal synthesis of a natural product-like macrocyclic peptide, inspired by the structure of amphotericin B (AmB), an amphiphilic and membrane-interacting antifungal natural product. This AmB-inspired macrocyclic peptide (AmP), one side of which is composed of hydrophobic terpene, and the other side comprises a peptidic chain, was synthesized utilizing flexizyme-assisted in vitro translation via an unusual but successful initiation with a d-cysteine derivative. The established method for the synthesis of AmPs is applicable to the generation of a diverse AmP library coupled with an in vitro display format, with the potential to lead to the discovery of artificial bioactive amphiphilic macrocycles.