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Paguirigan JAG, Kim JA, Hur JS, Kim W. Identification of a biosynthetic gene cluster for a red pigment cristazarin produced by a lichen-forming fungus Cladonia metacorallifera. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287559. [PMID: 37352186 PMCID: PMC10289310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287559] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are known to produce many novel bioactive metabolites. To date, approximately 1,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, which are predominantly produced by the lichen mycobionts. However, despite the extensive studies on production of lichen secondary metabolites, little is known about the responsible biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Here, we identified a putative BGC that is implicated in production of a red pigment, cristazarin (a naphthazarin derivative), in Cladonia metacorallifera. Previously, cristazarin was shown to be specifically induced in growth media containing fructose as a sole carbon source. Thus, we performed transcriptome analysis of C. metacorallifera growing on different carbon sources including fructose to identify the BGC for cristazarin. Among 39 polyketide synthase (PKS) genes found in the genome of C. metacorallifera, a non-reducing PKS (coined crz7) was highly expressed in growth media containing either fructose or glucose. The borders of a cristazarin gene cluster were delimited by co-expression patterns of neighboring genes of the crz7. BGCs highly conserved to the cristazarin BGC were also found in C. borealis and C. macilenta, indicating that these related species also have metabolic potentials to produce cristazarin. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Crz7 is sister to fungal PKSs that biosynthesize an acetylated tetrahydoxynaphthalene as a precursor of melanin pigment. Based on the phylogenetic placement of the Crz7 and putative functions of its neighboring genes, we proposed a plausible biosynthetic route for cristazarin. In this study, we identified a lichen-specific BGC that is likely involved in the biosynthesis of a naphthazarin derivative, cristazarin, and confirmed that transcriptome profiling under inducing and non-inducing conditions is an effective strategy for linking metabolites of interest to biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaycee Augusto Gumiran Paguirigan
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Jung A. Kim
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Korea
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Korea
| | - Wonyong Kim
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Korea
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Kim W, Liu R, Woo S, Kang KB, Park H, Yu YH, Ha HH, Oh SY, Yang JH, Kim H, Yun SH, Hur JS. Linking a Gene Cluster to Atranorin, a Major Cortical Substance of Lichens, through Genetic Dereplication and Heterologous Expression. mBio 2021; 12:e0111121. [PMID: 34154413 PMCID: PMC8262933 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01111-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The depside and depsidone series compounds of polyketide origin accumulate in the cortical or medullary layers of lichen thalli. Despite the taxonomic and ecological significance of lichen chemistry and its pharmaceutical potentials, there has been no single piece of genetic evidence linking biosynthetic genes to lichen substances. Thus, we systematically analyzed lichen polyketide synthases (PKSs) for categorization and identification of the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) involved in depside/depsidone production. Our in-depth analysis of the interspecies PKS diversity in the genus Cladonia and a related Antarctic lichen, Stereocaulon alpinum, identified 45 BGC families, linking lichen PKSs to 15 previously characterized PKSs in nonlichenized fungi. Among these, we identified highly syntenic BGCs found exclusively in lichens producing atranorin (a depside). Heterologous expression of the putative atranorin PKS gene (coined atr1) yielded 4-O-demethylbarbatic acid, found in many lichens as a precursor compound, indicating an intermolecular cross-linking activity of Atr1 for depside formation. Subsequent introductions of tailoring enzymes into the heterologous host yielded atranorin, one of the most common cortical substances of macrolichens. Phylogenetic analysis of fungal PKS revealed that the Atr1 is in a novel PKS clade that included two conserved lichen-specific PKS families likely involved in biosynthesis of depsides and depsidones. Here, we provide a comprehensive catalog of PKS families of the genus Cladonia and functionally characterize a biosynthetic gene cluster from lichens, establishing a cornerstone for studying the genetics and chemical evolution of diverse lichen substances. IMPORTANCE Lichens play significant roles in ecosystem function and comprise about 20% of all known fungi. Polyketide-derived natural products accumulate in the cortical and medullary layers of lichen thalli, some of which play key roles in protection from biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., herbivore attacks and UV irradiation). To date, however, no single lichen product has been linked to respective biosynthetic genes with genetic evidence. Here, we identified a gene cluster family responsible for biosynthesis of atranorin, a cortical substance found in diverse lichen species, by categorizing lichen polyketide synthase and reconstructing the atranorin biosynthetic pathway in a heterologous host. This study will help elucidate lichen secondary metabolism, harnessing the lichen's chemical diversity, hitherto obscured due to limited genetic information on lichens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonyong Kim
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Rundong Liu
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sunmin Woo
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyo Bin Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Park
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Hyun Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyung-Ho Ha
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Yoon Oh
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon, South Korea
| | - Ji Ho Yang
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
- Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Yun
- Department of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
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Metabolite profiling of the Cladonia lichens using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. BIOCHEM SYST ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Mark K, Randlane T, Thor G, Hur JS, Obermayer W, Saag A. Lichen chemistry is concordant with multilocus gene genealogy in the genus Cetrelia (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota). Fungal Biol 2018; 123:125-139. [PMID: 30709518 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The lichen genus Cetrelia represents a taxonomically interesting case where morphologically almost uniform populations differ considerably from each other chemically. Similar variation is not uncommon among lichenized fungi, but it is disputable whether such populations should be considered entities at the species level. Species boundaries in Cetrelia are traditionally delimited either as solely based on morphology or as combinations of morpho- and chemotypes. A dataset of four nuclear markers (ITS, IGS, Mcm7, RPB1) from 62 specimens, representing ten Cetrelia species, was analysed within Bayesian and maximum likelihood frameworks. Analyses recovered a well-resolved phylogeny where the traditional species generally were monophyletic, with the exception of Cetrelia chicitae and Cetrelia pseudolivetorum. Species delimitation analyses supported the distinction of 15 groups within the studied Cetrelia taxa, dividing three traditionally identified species into some species candidates. Chemotypes, distinguished according to the major medullary substance, clearly correlated with clades recovered within Cetrelia, while samples with the same reproductive mode were dispersed throughout the phylogenetic tree. Consequently, delimiting Cetrelia species based only on reproductive morphology is not supported phylogenetically. Character analyses suggest that chemical characters have been more consistent compared to reproductive mode and indicate that metabolite evolution in Cetrelia towards more complex substances is probable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina Mark
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia; Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - Tiina Randlane
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia.
| | - Göran Thor
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-Ro, South Korea
| | | | - Andres Saag
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia
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A comprehensive catalogue of polyketide synthase gene clusters in lichenizing fungi. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 45:1067-1081. [PMID: 30206732 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-2080-y] [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: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Lichens are fungi that form symbiotic partnerships with algae. Although lichens produce diverse polyketides, difficulties in establishing and maintaining lichen cultures have prohibited detailed studies of their biosynthetic pathways. Creative, albeit non-definitive, methods have been developed to assign function to biosynthetic gene clusters in lieu of techniques such as gene knockout and heterologous expressions that are commonly applied to easily cultivatable organisms. We review a total of 81 completely sequenced polyketide synthase (PKS) genes from lichenizing fungi, comprising to our best efforts all complete and reported PKS genes in lichenizing fungi to date. This review provides an overview of the approaches used to locate and sequence PKS genes in lichen genomes, current approaches to assign function to lichen PKS gene clusters, and what polyketides are proposed to be biosynthesized by these PKS. We conclude with remarks on prospects for genomics-based natural products discovery in lichens. We hope that this review will serve as a guide to ongoing research efforts on polyketide biosynthesis in lichenizing fungi.
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Abdel-Hameed ME, Bertrand RL, Donald LJ, Sorensen JL. Lichen ketosynthase domains are not responsible for inoperative polyketide synthases in Ascomycota hosts. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:1228-1234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Bertrand RL, Abdel-Hameed M, Sorensen JL. Lichen Biosynthetic Gene Clusters Part II: Homology Mapping Suggests a Functional Diversity. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:732-748. [PMID: 29485282 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lichens are renowned for their diverse natural products though little is known of the genetic programming dictating lichen natural product biosynthesis. We sequenced the genome of Cladonia uncialis and profiled its secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Through a homology searching approach, we can now propose specific functions for gene products as well as the biosynthetic pathways that are encoded in several of these gene clusters. This analysis revealed that the lichen genome encodes the required enzymes for patulin and betaenones A-C biosynthesis, fungal toxins not known to be produced by lichens. Within several gene clusters, some (but not all) genes are genetically similar to genes devoted to secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Fungi. These lichen clusters also contain accessory tailoring genes without such genetic similarity, suggesting that the encoded tailoring enzymes perform distinct chemical transformations. We hypothesize that C. uncialis gene clusters have evolved by shuffling components of ancestral fungal clusters to create new series of chemical steps, leading to the production of hitherto undiscovered derivatives of fungal secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Bertrand
- Department of Chemistry , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba Canada , R3T 2N2
| | - Mona Abdel-Hameed
- Department of Chemistry , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba Canada , R3T 2N2
| | - John L Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba Canada , R3T 2N2
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Elshobary ME, Osman ME, Abo-Shady AM, Komatsu E, Perreault H, Sorensen J, Piercey-Normore MD. Algal carbohydrates affect polyketide synthesis of the lichen-forming fungus Cladonia rangiferina. Mycologia 2016; 108:646-56. [PMID: 27091386 DOI: 10.3852/15-263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Lichen secondary metabolites (polyketides) are produced by the fungal partner, but the role of algal carbohydrates in polyketide biosynthesis is not clear. This study examined whether the type and concentration of algal carbohydrate explained differences in polyketide production and gene transcription by a lichen fungus (Cladonia rangiferina). The carbohydrates identified from a free-living cyanobacterium (Spirulina platensis; glucose), a lichen-forming alga (Diplosphaera chodatii; sorbitol) and the lichen alga that associates with C. rangiferina (Asterochloris sp.; ribitol) were used in each of 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations to enrich malt yeast extract media for culturing the mycobiont. Polyketides were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and polyketide synthase (PKS) gene transcription was measured by quantitative PCR of the ketosynthase domain of four PKS genes. The lower concentrations of carbohydrates induced the PKS gene expression where ribitol up-regulated CrPKS1 and CrPKS16 gene transcription and sorbitol up-regulated CrPKS3 and CrPKS7 gene transcription. The HPLC results revealed that lower concentrations of carbon sources increased polyketide production for three carbohydrates. One polyketide from the natural lichen thallus (fumarprotocetraric acid) also was produced by the fungal culture in ribitol supplemented media only. This study provides a better understanding of the role of the type and concentration of the carbon source in fungal polyketide biosynthesis in the lichen Cladonia rangiferina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa E Elshobary
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2; and Department of Botany, University of Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mohamed E Osman
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Tanta, Egypt
| | - Atef M Abo-Shady
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Tanta, Egypt
| | - Emy Komatsu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
| | - Hélène Perreault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
| | - John Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
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Abdel-Hameed M, Bertrand RL, Piercey-Normore MD, Sorensen JL. Identification of 6-Hydroxymellein Synthase and Accessory Genes in the Lichen Cladonia uncialis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2016; 79:1645-1650. [PMID: 27264554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A transcribed polyketide synthase (PKS) gene has been identified in the lichen Cladonia uncialis. The complete nucleotide sequence of this PKS was determined from the amplified cDNA, and an assignment of individual domains was accomplished by homology searching using AntiSMASH. A scan of the complete genome sequence of C. uncialis revealed the accessory genes associated with this PKS gene. A homology search has identified that several genes in this cluster are similar to genes responsible for the biosynthesis of terrein in Aspergillus terreus. This permitted assignment of putative function to each of the genes in this new C. uncialis cluster. It is proposed that this gene cluster is responsible for the biosynthesis of a halogenated iscoumarin. This is the first report linking a gene cluster to a halogenated metabolite in lichen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Abdel-Hameed
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada , R3T 2N2
| | - Robert L Bertrand
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada , R3T 2N2
| | - Michele D Piercey-Normore
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada , R3T 2N2
| | - John L Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada , R3T 2N2
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Wang H, Sivonen K, Fewer DP. Genomic insights into the distribution, genetic diversity and evolution of polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 35:79-85. [PMID: 26605685 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Polyketides and nonribosomal peptides are important secondary metabolites that exhibit enormous structural diversity, have many pharmaceutical applications, and include a number of clinically important drugs. These complex metabolites are most commonly synthesized on enzymatic assembly lines of polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Genome-mining studies making use of the recent explosion in the number of genome sequences have demonstrated unexpected enzymatic diversity and greatly expanded the known distribution of these enzyme systems across the three domains of life. The wealth of data now available suggests that genome-mining efforts will uncover new natural products, novel biosynthetic mechanisms, and shed light on the origin and evolution of these important enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Kaarina Sivonen
- Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - David P Fewer
- Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Abdel-Hameed M, Bertrand RL, Piercey-Normore MD, Sorensen JL. Putative identification of the usnic acid biosynthetic gene cluster by de novo whole-genome sequencing of a lichen-forming fungus. Fungal Biol 2015; 120:306-16. [PMID: 26895859 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To identify the biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of the polyketide usnic acid we carried out the de novo genome sequencing of the fungal partner of Cladonia uncialis. This was followed by comprehensive in silico annotation of polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. The biosynthesis of usnic acid requires a non-reducing PKS possessing a carbon methylation (CMeT) domain, a terminal Claisen cyclase (CLC) domain, and an accompanying oxidative enzyme that dimerizes methylphloracetophenone to usnic acid. Of the 32 candidate PKS genes identified in the mycobiont genome, only one was identified as consistent with these biosynthetic requirements. This gene cluster contains two genes encoding a non-reducing PKS and a cytochrome p450, which have been respectively named methylphloracetophenone synthase (MPAS) and methylphloracetophenone oxidase (MPAO). Both mpas and mpao were demonstrated to be transcriptionally active by reverse transcriptase-PCR of the mRNA in a lichen sample that was observed by HPLC to produce usnic acid. Phylogenetic analysis of the bioinformatically identified ketosynthase (KS) and CLC domains of MPAS demonstrated that mpas grouped within a unique clade and that mpas could be used as a phylogenetic probe to identify other MPAS genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Abdel-Hameed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Robert L Bertrand
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | | | - John L Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
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