The invention pertains to the field of production of natural products and, in particular, in the field of production of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin. It provides polynucleotides encoding polypeptides involved in the biosynthesis of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin as well as vectors and recombinant microorganisms comprising such polynucleotides. Also provided are methods for the production of natural products, in particular methods for the production of cornexistin and hydroxycornexistin, using such polynucleotides and polpeptides encoded therein, as well as vectors and recombinant microorganisms comprising such polynucleotides and polypeptides.