Oxytetracycline belongs to a structurally diverse class of aromatic polyketide antibiotics produced by "Streptomyces" via type II polyketide synthases (PKSs) which are also known as bacterial aromatic polyketides. Other compounds produced via type II PKSs are important bioactive compounds which span from anticancer agents doxorubicin to antibiotics such as tetracycline. The biosynthesis of oxytetracycline can be broken down into three general portions; first is the formation of an amidated polyketide backbone with minimal PKS's, second is the cyclization of the polyketide backbone and finally, the formation of anhydrotetracycline - a shared intermediate with tetracycline - to produce oxytetracycline.