Production of polyketides and other natural products

Abstract

The present invention relates to production of polyketides and other natural products and to libraries of compounds and individual novel compounds. One important area is the isolation and potential use of novel FKBP-ligand analogues and host cells that produce these compounds. The invention is particularly concerned with methods for the efficient transformation of strains that produce FKBP analogues and recombinant cells in which cloned genes or gene cassettes are expressed to generate novel compounds such as polyketide (especially rapamycin) FKBP-ligand analogues, and to processes for their preparation, and to means employed therein (e.g. nucleic acids, vectors, gene cassettes and genetically modified strains).

1 - 66 . (canceled)  
     
     
         67 . A method for treating a disorder in a patient comprising the administration of 39-desmethoxyrapamycin, wherein said disorder is selected from the group consisting of cancer, fungus infection, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibrosis, autoimmune disease, proliferative and/or hyperproliferative disease, inflammatory disease, diabetes type I, acute or chronic organ or tissue transplant rejection, asthma, eczema, fibrosis, and allergies.  
     
     
         68 . A method for maintaining immunosuppression, inducing neuroregeneration, or inhibiting undesired angiogenesis in a patient in need thereof comprising administration of 39-desmethoxyrapamycin.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said disorder is cancer.  
     
     
         70 . A stent comprising 39-desmethoxyrapamycin.