Abstract

Cyclodepsipeptides, mainly derived from marine organisms and soil microorganisms, are amphiphilic molecules consisting of short oligopeptides with fatty acid tails attached to form a macrocyclic structure. Studies on the activity of cyclodepsipeptides have shown that they have cytotoxicity, antibacterial and anthelmintic effects, and are widely used in biological control, drug development, environmental remediation and disease treatment. Cyclodepsipeptides play a prominent role in the development of new drugs and drug lead compounds, especially as antibiotics with great medicinal potentiall, and are slowly seeping into the public consciousness. The biosynthesis of cyclodepsipeptides is mainly based on the synthesis of non-ribosomal peptide synthases, and selection of key regulatory enzymes for homologue regulation and biosynthetic strategies using genetic engineering and metabolic engineering approaches. The biosynthesis method is miniaturised, recyclable, and safer. The total synthesis methods of cyclodepsipeptides are mainly combined solid-liquid phase methods, which synthesise cyclodepsipeptides faster and are easy to purify. This paper reviews the biological activities of cyclodepsipeptides, their biosynthesis, and total synthesis.