Proteome analysis reveals global response to deletion of mrflbA in Monascus ruber

Histone deacetylase MrHos3 negatively regulates the production of citrinin and pigments in Monascus ruber

Monascus spp. can produce a variety of beneficial metabolites widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. However, some Monascus species contain the complete gene cluster responsible for citrinin biosynthesis, which raises our concerns about the safety of their fermented products. In this study, the gene Mrhos3, encoding histone deacetylase (HDAC), was deleted to evaluate its effects on the production of mycotoxin (citrinin) and the edible pigments as well as the developmental process of Monascus ruber M7. The results showed that absence of Mrhos3 caused an enhancement of citrinin content by 105.1%, 82.4%, 111.9%, and 95.7% at the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th day, respectively. Furthermore, deletion of Mrhos3 increased the relative expression of citrinin biosynthetic pathway genes including pksCT, mrl1, mrl2, mrl4, mrl6, and mrl7. In addition, deletion of Mrhos3 led to an increase in total pigment content and six classic pigment components. Western blot results revealed that deletion of Mrhos3 could significantly elevate the acetylation level of H3K9, H4K12, H3K18, and total protein. This study provides an important insight into the effects of hos3 gene on the secondary metabolites production in filamentous fungi.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis by Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectra-Mass Spectrometry Reveals Inhibition Mechanism of Pigments and Citrinin Production of Monascus Response to High Ammonium Chloride Concentration

Various Monascus bioactive metabolites used as food or food additives in Asia for centuries are subjected to constant physical and chemical changes and different Monascus genus. With the aim to identify enzymes that participate in or indirectly regulate the pigments and citrinin biosynthesis pathways of Monascus purpureus cultured under high ammonium chloride, the changes of the proteome profile were examined using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra-mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics approach in combination with bioinformatics analysis. A total of 292 proteins were confidently detected and quantified in each sample, including 163 that increased and 129 that decreased (t-tests, p ≤ 0.05). Pathway analysis indicated that high ammonium chloride in the present study accelerates the carbon substrate utilization and promotes the activity of key enzymes in glycolysis and β-oxidation of fatty acid catabolism to generate sufficient acetyl-CoA. However, the synthesis of the monascus pigments and citrinin was not enhanced because of inhibition of the polyketide synthase activity. All results demonstrated that the cause of initiation of pigments and citrinin synthesis is mainly due to the apparent inhibition of acyl and acetyl transfer by some acyltransferase and acetyltransferase, likely malony-CoA:ACP transacylase.