Disclosed is a genetically modified host organism for expressing an anthracyclinone analogue. The genetically modified host organism comprises (i) synthetic nucleic acids (ii) a biosynthetic pathway encoded by the synthetic nucleic acids, the (ii) biosynthetic pathway comprising a ketosynthase alpha, a ketosynthase beta/chain-length factor, an acyl carrier protein, a 3-oxoacyl-ACP synthase, a propionyl-CoA acyltransferase, a 9-ketoreductase, an aromatase/cyclase, and a second/third-ring cyclase and (iii) a promoter positioned upstream of and operatively associated with the (ii) biosynthetic pathway. A method and corresponding synthetic nucleic acids are also disclosed.
