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Skellam E, Rajendran S, Li L. Combinatorial biosynthesis for the engineering of novel fungal natural products. Commun Chem 2024; 7:89. [PMID: 38637654 PMCID: PMC11026467 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01172-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural products are small molecules synthesized by fungi, bacteria and plants, which historically have had a profound effect on human health and quality of life. These natural products have evolved over millions of years resulting in specific biological functions that may be of interest for pharmaceutical, agricultural, or nutraceutical use. Often natural products need to be structurally modified to make them suitable for specific applications. Combinatorial biosynthesis is a method to alter the composition of enzymes needed to synthesize a specific natural product resulting in structurally diversified molecules. In this review we discuss different approaches for combinatorial biosynthesis of natural products via engineering fungal enzymes and biosynthetic pathways. We highlight the biosynthetic knowledge gained from these studies and provide examples of new-to-nature bioactive molecules, including molecules synthesized using combinations of fungal and non-fungal enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Skellam
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Sanjeevan Rajendran
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
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Sun WW, Li CY, Chiang YM, Lin TS, Warren S, Chang FR, Wang CCC. Characterization of a silent azaphilone biosynthesis gene cluster in Aspergillus terreus NIH 2624. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 160:103694. [PMID: 35398258 PMCID: PMC9701353 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungal secondary metabolites are an important source of bioactive components. Genome sequencing ofAspergillus terreusrevealed many silent secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters presumed to be involved in producing secondary metabolites. Activation of silent gene clusters through overexpressing a pathway-specific regulator is an effective avenue for discovering novel fungal secondary metabolites. Replacement of the native promoter of the pathway-specific activator with the inducible Tet-on system to activate thetazpathway led to the discovery of a series of azaphilone secondary metabolites, among which azaterrilone A (1) was purified and identified for the first time. Genetic deletion of core PKS genes and transcriptional analysis further characterized thetazgene cluster to consist of 16 genes with the NR-PKS and the HR-PKS collaborating in a convergent mode. Based on the putative gene functions and the characterized compounds structural information, a biosynthetic pathway of azaterrilone A (1) was proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wen Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Chi-Ying Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yi-Ming Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 71710, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Shyang Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Shauna Warren
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Fang-Rong Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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3
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Wieder C, Peres da Silva R, Witts J, Jäger CM, Geib E, Brock M. Characterisation of ascocorynin biosynthesis in the purple jellydisc fungus Ascocoryne sarcoides. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2022; 9:8. [PMID: 35477441 PMCID: PMC9047271 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-022-00138-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase-like (NRPS-like) enzymes are highly enriched in fungal genomes and can be discriminated into reducing and non-reducing enzymes. Non-reducing NRPS-like enzymes possess a C-terminal thioesterase domain that catalyses the condensation of two identical aromatic α-keto acids under the formation of enzyme-specific substrate-interconnecting core structures such as terphenylquinones, furanones, butyrolactones or dioxolanones. Ascocoryne sarcoides produces large quantities of ascocorynin, which structurally resembles a terphenylquinone produced from the condensation of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate and phenylpyruvate. Since the parallel use of two different substrates by a non-reducing NRPS-like enzyme appeared as highly unusual, we investigated the biosynthesis of ascocorynin in A. sarcoides. Results Here, we searched the genome of A. sarcoides for genes coding for non-reducing NRPS-like enzymes. A single candidate gene was identified that was termed acyN. Heterologous gene expression confirmed that AcyN is involved in ascocorynin production but only produces the non-hydroxylated precursor polyporic acid. Although acyN is embedded in an ascocorynin biosynthesis gene cluster, a gene encoding a monooxygenase required for the hydroxylation of polyporic acid was not present. Expression analyses of all monooxygenase-encoding genes from A. sarcoides identified a single candidate that showed the same expression pattern as acyN. Accordingly, heterologous co-expression of acyN and the monooxygenase gene resulted in the production of ascocorynin. Structural modelling of the monooxygenase suggests that the hydrophobic substrate polyporic acid enters the monooxygenase from a membrane facing entry site and is converted into the more hydrophilic product ascocorynin, which prevents its re-entry for a second round of hydroxylation. Conclusion This study characterises the first naturally occurring polyporic acid synthetase from an ascomycete. It confirms the high substrate and product specificity of this non-reducing NRPS-like enzyme and highlights the requirement of a monooxygenase to produce the terphenylquinone ascocorynin. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40694-022-00138-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Wieder
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.,Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Roberta Peres da Silva
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.,University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Jessica Witts
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Christof Martin Jäger
- Sustainable Process Technologies Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Elena Geib
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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Wu Q, Luo F, Wang XL, Lin Q, Liu GQ. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide: an emerging candidate for vascular dysfunction therapy. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:736-755. [PMID: 34634988 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1948816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal vasoconstriction, inflammation, and vascular remodeling can be promoted by angiotensin II (Ang II) in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), leading to vascular dysfunction diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Researchers have recently focused on angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides (ACEIPs), that have desirable efficacy in vascular dysfunction therapy due to Ang II reduction by inhibiting ACE activity. Promising methods for the large-scale preparation of ACEIPs include selective enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation. Thus far, ACEIPs have been widely reported to be hydrolyzed from protein-rich sources, including animals, plants, and marine organisms, while many emerging microorganism-derived ACEIPs are theoretically biosynthesized through the nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) pathway. Notably, vasodilatation, anti-inflammation, and vascular reconstruction reversal of ACEIPs are strongly correlated. However, the related molecular mechanisms underlying signal transduction regulation in vivo remain unclear. We provide a comprehensive update of the ACE-Ang II-G protein-coupled type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT1R) axis signaling and its functional significance for potential translation into therapeutic strategies, particularly targeting AT1R by ACEIPs, as well as specific related signaling pathways. Future studies are expected to verify the biosynthetic regulatory mechanism of ACEIPs via the NRPS pathway, the effect of gut microbiota metabolism on vascular dysfunction and rigorous studies of ACE-Ang II-AT1R signaling pathways mediated by ACEIPs in large animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology Innovation on Forest Resource Biotechnology of Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.,College of Food and Chemical Engineering, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Feijun Luo
- International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology Innovation on Forest Resource Biotechnology of Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.,College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Wang
- International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology Innovation on Forest Resource Biotechnology of Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Qinlu Lin
- International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology Innovation on Forest Resource Biotechnology of Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.,College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Gao-Qiang Liu
- International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology Innovation on Forest Resource Biotechnology of Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
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Huang X, Men P, Tang S, Lu X. Aspergillus terreus as an industrial filamentous fungus for pharmaceutical biotechnology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 69:273-280. [PMID: 33713917 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus is an important Aspergillus species, which has been applied in the industrial production of the bio-based chemical itaconic acid and the lipid-lowering drug lovastatin. The excellent fermentation capability has been demonstrated in these industrial applications. The genomic information revealed that the outstanding capacity of natural product synthesis by A. terreus remains to be further explored. With advances of the genome mining strategy, the products of several cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters have been discovered recently. In addition, a series of metabolic engineering studies have been performed in the industrial strains of lovastatin and itaconic acid to further improve the production processes. This review presents the current progress and the future outlook in the field of A. terreus biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuenian Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; Shandong Energy Institute, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Ping Men
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shen Tang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Xuefeng Lu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; Shandong Energy Institute, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Marine Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Wenhai Rd 1, Aoshanwei, Qingdao, China.
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6
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Controlled Transcription of Regulator Gene carS by Tet-on or by a Strong Promoter Confirms Its Role as a Repressor of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Fusarium fujikuroi. Microorganisms 2020; 9:microorganisms9010071. [PMID: 33383912 PMCID: PMC7824685 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotenoid biosynthesis is a frequent trait in fungi. In the ascomycete Fusarium fujikuroi, the synthesis of the carboxylic xanthophyll neurosporaxanthin (NX) is stimulated by light. However, the mutants of the carS gene, encoding a protein of the RING finger family, accumulate large NX amounts regardless of illumination, indicating the role of CarS as a negative regulator. To confirm CarS function, we used the Tet-on system to control carS expression in this fungus. The system was first set up with a reporter mluc gene, which showed a positive correlation between the inducer doxycycline and luminescence. Once the system was improved, the carS gene was expressed using Tet-on in the wild strain and in a carS mutant. In both cases, increased carS transcription provoked a downregulation of the structural genes of the pathway and albino phenotypes even under light. Similarly, when the carS gene was constitutively overexpressed under the control of a gpdA promoter, total downregulation of the NX pathway was observed. The results confirmed the role of CarS as a repressor of carotenogenesis in F. fujikuroi and revealed that its expression must be regulated in the wild strain to allow appropriate NX biosynthesis in response to illumination.
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7
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Tietze A, Shi YN, Kronenwerth M, Bode HB. Nonribosomal Peptides Produced by Minimal and Engineered Synthetases with Terminal Reductase Domains. Chembiochem 2020; 21:2750-2754. [PMID: 32378773 PMCID: PMC7586950 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) use terminal reductase domains for 2‐electron reduction of the enzyme‐bound thioester releasing the generated peptides as C‐terminal aldehydes. Herein, we reveal the biosynthesis of a pyrazine that originates from an aldehyde‐generating minimal NRPS termed ATRed in entomopathogenic Xenorhabdus indica. Reductase domains were also investigated in terms of NRPS engineering and, although no general applicable approach was deduced, we show that they can indeed be used for the production of similar natural and unnatural pyrazinones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Tietze
- Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yan-Ni Shi
- Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Max Kronenwerth
- Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Helge B Bode
- Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
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8
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Romsdahl J, Wang CCC. Recent advances in the genome mining of Aspergillus secondary metabolites (covering 2012-2018). MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:840-866. [PMID: 31303983 PMCID: PMC6590338 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00054b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites (SMs) produced by filamentous fungi possess diverse bioactivities that make them excellent drug candidates. Whole genome sequencing has revealed that fungi have the capacity to produce a far greater number of SMs than have been isolated, since many of the genes involved in SM biosynthesis are either silent or expressed at very low levels in standard laboratory conditions. There has been significant effort to activate SM biosynthetic genes and link them to their downstream products, as the SMs produced by these "cryptic" pathways offer a promising source for new drug discovery. Further, an understanding of the genes involved in SM biosynthesis facilitates product yield optimization of first-generation molecules and genetic engineering of second-generation analogs. This review covers advances made in genome mining SMs produced by Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus in the past six years (2012-2018). Genetic identification and molecular characterization of SM biosynthetic gene clusters, along with proposed biosynthetic pathways, will be discussed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy , University of Southern California , 1985 Zonal Avenue , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA . ; Tel: (323) 442 1670
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy , University of Southern California , 1985 Zonal Avenue , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA . ; Tel: (323) 442 1670
- Department of Chemistry , Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences , University of Southern California , 3551 Trousdale Pkwy , Los Angeles , CA 90089 , USA
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Hühner E, Öqvist K, Li SM. Design of α-Keto Carboxylic Acid Dimers by Domain Recombination of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase (NRPS)-Like Enzymes. Org Lett 2019; 21:498-502. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b03793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Hühner
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch Straße 4, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Kristin Öqvist
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch Straße 4, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Shu-Ming Li
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Biotechnologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch Straße 4, Marburg 35037, Germany
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10
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Geib E, Baldeweg F, Doerfer M, Nett M, Brock M. Cross-Chemistry Leads to Product Diversity from Atromentin Synthetases in Aspergilli from Section Nigri. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 26:223-234.e6. [PMID: 30527997 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzymes catalyze the non-oxidative homodimerization of aromatic α-keto acids, but the exact reaction mechanism is unknown. The furanone-forming thioesterase domain of the Aspergillus terreus aspulvinone E synthetase MelA displays a predicted quinone-forming motif, whereby its catalytic triad contains an essential cysteine indicating an unusual thioester intermediate. To convert MelA into a quinone-forming atromentin synthetase its thioesterase domain was replaced with that from a Paxillus involutus or A. terreus atromentin synthetase. Phylogenetic proximity of donor and acceptor seems important, as only replacement with the A. terreus thioesterase was functional. Heterologous expression of atromentin synthetases in Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae revealed host-dependent product formation whereby cross-chemistry directed atromentin biosynthesis in A. niger toward atrofuranic acid. Screening of aspergilli from section Nigri identified an atromentin synthetase in Aspergillus brasiliensis that produced atrofuranic acid in the homologous host. Therefore, cross-chemistry on quinone cores appears common to section Nigri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Geib
- Fungal Genetics and Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Florian Baldeweg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Adolf-Reichwein Straße 23a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Maximilian Doerfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Adolf-Reichwein Straße 23a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Nett
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Genetics and Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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He Y, Wang B, Chen W, Cox RJ, He J, Chen F. Recent advances in reconstructing microbial secondary metabolites biosynthesis in Aspergillus spp. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:739-783. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Wiemann P, Soukup AA, Folz JS, Wang PM, Noack A, Keller NP. CoIN: co-inducible nitrate expression system for secondary metabolites in Aspergillus nidulans. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2018; 5:6. [PMID: 29564145 PMCID: PMC5851313 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-018-0049-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sequencing of fungal species has demonstrated the existence of thousands of putative secondary metabolite gene clusters, the majority of them harboring a unique set of genes thought to participate in production of distinct small molecules. Despite the ready identification of key enzymes and potential cluster genes by bioinformatics techniques in sequenced genomes, the expression and identification of fungal secondary metabolites in the native host is often hampered as the genes might not be expressed under laboratory conditions and the species might not be amenable to genetic manipulation. To overcome these restrictions, we developed an inducible expression system in the genetic model Aspergillus nidulans. RESULTS We genetically engineered a strain of A. nidulans devoid of producing eight of the most abundant endogenous secondary metabolites to express the sterigmatocystin Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor-encoding gene aflR and its cofactor aflS under control of the nitrate inducible niiA/niaD promoter. Furthermore, we identified a subset of promoters from the sterigmatocystin gene cluster that are under nitrate-inducible AflR/S control in our production strain in order to yield coordinated expression without the risks from reusing a single inducible promoter. As proof of concept, we used this system to produce β-carotene from the carotenoid gene cluster of Fusarium fujikuroi. CONCLUSION Utilizing one-step yeast recombinational cloning, we developed an inducible expression system in the genetic model A. nidulans and show that it can be successfully used to produce commercially valuable metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wiemann
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
- Present Address: Hexagon Bio, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA
| | - Alexandra A. Soukup
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
- Present Address: Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | - Jacob S. Folz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
- Present Address: Davis Genome Center – Metabolomics, University of California, 451 Health Science Drive, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Pin-Mei Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
- Present Address: Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Andreas Noack
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
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Production of α-keto carboxylic acid dimers in yeast by overexpression of NRPS-like genes from Aspergillus terreus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:1663-1672. [PMID: 29305695 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8719-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are key enzymes in microorganisms for the assembly of peptide backbones of biologically and pharmacologically active natural products. The monomodular NRPS-like enzymes comprise often an adenylation (A), a thiolation (T), and a thioesterase (TE) domain. In contrast to the NRPSs, they do not contain any condensation domain and usually catalyze a dimerization of α-keto carboxylic acids and thereby provide diverse scaffolds for further modifications. In this study, we established an expression system for NRPS-like genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By expression of four known genes from Aspergillus terreus, their predicted function was confirmed and product yields of up to 35 mg per liter culture were achieved. Furthermore, expression of ATEG_03090 from the same fungus, encoding for the last uncharacterized NRPS-like enzyme with an A-T-TE domain structure, led to the formation of the benzoquinone derivative atromentin. All the accumulated products were isolated and their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. This study provides a convenient system for proof of gene function as well as a basis for synthetic biology, since additional genes encoding modification enzymes can be introduced.
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14
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Buckel I, Andernach L, Schüffler A, Piepenbring M, Opatz T, Thines E. Phytotoxic dioxolanones are potential virulence factors in the infection process of Guignardia bidwellii. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8926. [PMID: 28827628 PMCID: PMC5566483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09157-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytotoxic dioxolanones from Guignardia bidwellii can be described as potential virulence factors which cause the formation of lesions upon an infection by G. bidwellii. The toxin guignardic acid was found in planta of G. bidwellii-infected Vitis vinifera leaves, whereas no phytotoxic dioxolanones were detected in uninfected leaf material. Secondary metabolism analyses of further phytopathogenic fungi from the genus Guignardia led to the observation that all species investigated can produce the phytotoxins known from G. bidwellii. In addition to these studies, it was demonstrated that phenguignardic acid is biosynthetically derived from two molecules of phenylalanine and that phenylalanine is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of the two other phytotoxins - alaguignardic acid and guignardic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Buckel
- Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mikrobiologie und Weinforschung, Institute of Moleculare Physiology, Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 15, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lars Andernach
- Johannes Gutenberg-University, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anja Schüffler
- Institut für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH (IBWF), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 56, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Meike Piepenbring
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Mycology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Johannes Gutenberg-University, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eckhard Thines
- Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mikrobiologie und Weinforschung, Institute of Moleculare Physiology, Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 15, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Institut für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH (IBWF), Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 56, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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15
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Zhang P, Wang X, Fan A, Zheng Y, Liu X, Wang S, Zou H, Oakley BR, Keller NP, Yin WB. A cryptic pigment biosynthetic pathway uncovered by heterologous expression is essential for conidial development inPestalotiopsis fici. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:469-483. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuna Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences; Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University; Fuzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Aili Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjing Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial (Wenzhou) Key Lab for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science; Wenzhou University; Wenzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences; Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University; Fuzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Huixi Zou
- Zhejiang Provincial (Wenzhou) Key Lab for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science; Wenzhou University; Wenzhou People's Republic of China
| | - Berl R. Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences; University of Kansas; Lawrence KS USA
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison Wisconsin, WI USA
| | - Wen-Bing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology; Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
- College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
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16
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17
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van Dijk JWA, Guo CJ, Wang CCC. Engineering Fungal Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase-like Enzymes by Heterologous Expression and Domain Swapping. Org Lett 2016; 18:6236-6239. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b02821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes W. A. van Dijk
- Department
of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Chun-Jun Guo
- Department
of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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18
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Abstract
Many Fungi have a well-developed secondary metabolism. The diversity of fungal species and the diversification of biosynthetic gene clusters underscores a nearly limitless potential for metabolic variation and an untapped resource for drug discovery and synthetic biology. Much of the ecological success of the filamentous fungi in colonizing the planet is owed to their ability to deploy their secondary metabolites in concert with their penetrative and absorptive mode of life. Fungal secondary metabolites exhibit biological activities that have been developed into life-saving medicines and agrochemicals. Toxic metabolites, known as mycotoxins, contaminate human and livestock food and indoor environments. Secondary metabolites are determinants of fungal diseases of humans, animals, and plants. Secondary metabolites exhibit a staggering variation in chemical structures and biological activities, yet their biosynthetic pathways share a number of key characteristics. The genes encoding cooperative steps of a biosynthetic pathway tend to be located contiguously on the chromosome in coregulated gene clusters. Advances in genome sequencing, computational tools, and analytical chemistry are enabling the rapid connection of gene clusters with their metabolic products. At least three fungal drug precursors, penicillin K and V, mycophenolic acid, and pleuromutilin, have been produced by synthetic reconstruction and expression of respective gene clusters in heterologous hosts. This review summarizes general aspects of fungal secondary metabolism and recent developments in our understanding of how and why fungi make secondary metabolites, how these molecules are produced, and how their biosynthetic genes are distributed across the Fungi. The breadth of fungal secondary metabolite diversity is highlighted by recent information on the biosynthesis of important fungus-derived metabolites that have contributed to human health and agriculture and that have negatively impacted crops, food distribution, and human environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald F Bills
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054
| | - James B Gloer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52245
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19
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Zeilinger S, Gruber S, Bansal R, Mukherjee PK. Secondary metabolism in Trichoderma – Chemistry meets genomics. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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