A chain initiation factor common to both modular and aromatic polyketide synthases

An element of aromatic polyketide synthases (PKS), previously called 'chain-length factor' (CLF), has been shown to be a factor needed for polyketide chain initiation. This factor has decarboxylase activity towards malonyl-acyl carrier protein. The discovery of the common function of CLF and KSQ, a domain of previously unknown function which acts like CLF, as chain initiation factors supplies a further significant mechanistic connection between type I and type II PKSs and between PKSs and fatty-acid synthases.