Several newly reported post-translational modification reactions are i
nvolved in lantibiotic biosynthesis. A short overview of the present k
nowledge on the post-translational modifications and on the enzymes in
volved in lantibiotic biosynthesis is given. The oxidative decarboxyla
tion of the epidermin precursor peptide EpiA is described in detail. T
he FMN-containing oxidoreductase EpiD is involved in the formation of
the C-terminal S-[(Z)-2-aminovinyl]-D-cysteine residue of epidermin: u
nder reducing conditions the side chain of the C-terminal cysteine res
idue of EpiA is converted to an enethiol. EpiD has no absolute substra
te specificity and can be used for modification of peptides having the
C-terminal consensus motif [V/I/L/(M)/F/Y/W]-[A/S/V/T/C/(I/L)]-C.