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Fathallah N, Elkady WM, Zahran SA, Darwish KM, Elhady SS, Elkhawas YA. Unveiling the Multifaceted Capabilities of Endophytic Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Annona squamosa Fruit Peels against Staphylococcus Isolates and HCoV 229E-In Vitro and In Silico Investigations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:656. [PMID: 38794226 PMCID: PMC11124496 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been a surge towards searching for primitive treatment strategies to discover novel therapeutic approaches against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Endophytes are considered unexplored yet perpetual sources of several secondary metabolites with therapeutic significance. This study aims to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from Annona squamosa L. fruit peels using morphological, microscopical, and transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence analysis; extract the fungus's secondary metabolites by ethyl acetate; investigate the chemical profile using UPLC/MS; and evaluate the potential antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiviral activities. An endophytic fungus was isolated and identified as Aspergillus flavus L. from the fruit peels. The UPLC/MS revealed seven compounds with various chemical classes. The antimicrobial activity of the fungal ethyl acetate extract (FEA) was investigated against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative standard strains, in addition to resistant clinical isolates using the agar diffusion method. The CPE-inhibition assay was used to identify the potential antiviral activity of the crude fungal extract against low pathogenic human coronavirus (HCoV 229E). Selective Gram-positive antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evident, demonstrating pronounced efficacy against both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). However, the extract exhibited very weak activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. The ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus flavus L exhibited an interesting antiviral activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 27.2 µg/mL against HCoV 229E. Furthermore, in silico virtual molecular docking-coupled dynamics simulation highlighted the promising affinity of the identified metabolite, orienting towards three MRSA biotargets and HCoV 229E main protease as compared to reported reference inhibitors/substrates. Finally, ADME analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential oral bioavailability of the identified metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Fathallah
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Wafaa M. Elkady
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Sara A. Zahran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- King Abdulaziz University Herbarium, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasmin A. Elkhawas
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt;
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2
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Lu Y, Tang D, Liu Z, Zhao J, Chen Y, Ma J, Luo L, Yu H. Genomic comparative analysis of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1293077. [PMID: 38686108 PMCID: PMC11057048 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1293077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato is a common pathogenic fungus of ants. A new species, O. fusiformispora, was described based on morphology and phylogenetic evidence from five genes (SSU, LSU, TEF1α, RPB1, and RPB2). The whole genomes of O. fusiformispora, O. contiispora, O. subtiliphialida, O. satoi, O. flabellata, O. acroasca, and O. camponoti-leonardi were sequenced and annotated and compared with whole genome sequences of other species in O. unilateralis sensu lato. The basic genome-wide characteristics of the 12 species showed that the related species had similar GC content and genome size. AntiSMASH and local BLAST analyses revealed that the number and types of putative SM BGCs, NPPS, PKS, and hybrid PKS-NRPS domains for the 12 species differed significantly among different species in the same genus. The putative BGC of five compounds, namely, NG-391, lucilactaene, higginsianin B, pyripyropene A, and pyranonigrin E were excavated. NG-391 and lucilactaene were 7-desmethyl analogs of fusarin C. Furthermore, the 12 genomes had common domains, such as KS-AT-DH-MT-ER-KR-ACP and SAT-KS-AT-PT-ACP-ACP-Te. The ML and BI trees of SAT-KS-AT-PT-ACP-ACP-Te were highly consistent with the multigene phylogenetic tree in the 12 species. This study provided a method to obtain the living culture of O. unilateralis sensu lato species and its asexual formed on the basis of living culture, which was of great value for further study of O. unilateralis sensu lato species in the future, and also laid a foundation for further analysis of secondary metabolites of O. unilateralis sensu lato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingling Lu
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Dexiang Tang
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Zuoheng Liu
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Jinmei Ma
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- The International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Cordyceps Bioresources in China and Southeast Asia, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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3
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Karahoda B, Pfannenstiel BT, Sarikaya-Bayram Ö, Dong Z, Ho Wong K, Fleming AB, Keller NP, Bayram Ö. The KdmB-EcoA-RpdA-SntB (KERS) chromatin regulatory complex controls development, secondary metabolism and pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 169:103836. [PMID: 37666447 PMCID: PMC10841535 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103836] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is a plant and human pathogen predominantly found in the soil as spores or sclerotia and is capable of producing various secondary metabolites (SM) such as the carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin. Recently, we have discovered a novel nuclear chromatin binding complex (KERS) that contains the JARID1-type histone demethylase KdmB, a putative cohesion acetyl transferase EcoA, a class I type histone deacetylase RpdA and the PHD ring finger reader protein SntB in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Here, we show the presence of the KERS complex in A. flavus by immunoprecipitation-coupled mass spectrometry and constructed kdmBΔ and rpdAΔ strains to study their roles in fungal development, SM production and histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). We found that KdmB and RpdA couple the regulation of SM gene clusters with fungal light-responses and HPTMs. KdmB and RpdA have opposing roles in light-induced asexual conidiation, while both factors are positive regulators of sclerotia development through the nsdC and nsdD pathway. KdmB and RpdA are essential for the productions of aflatoxin (similar to findings for SntB) as well as cyclopiazonic acid, ditryptophenaline and leporin B through controlling the respective SM biosynthetic gene clusters. We further show that both KdmB and RpdA regulate H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 levels, while RpdA also acts on H3K14ac levels in nuclear extracts. Therefore, the chromatin modifiers KdmB and RpdA of the KERS complex are key regulators for fungal development and SM metabolism in A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betim Karahoda
- Biology Department, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Brandon T Pfannenstiel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
| | | | - Zhiqiang Dong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau; Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Macau, Macau; Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau
| | - Alastair B Fleming
- Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Biology Department, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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4
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Maud L, Boyer F, Durrieu V, Bornot J, Lippi Y, Naylies C, Lorber S, Puel O, Mathieu F, Snini SP. Effect of Streptomyces roseolus Cell-Free Supernatants on the Fungal Development, Transcriptome, and Aflatoxin B1 Production of Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:428. [PMID: 37505697 PMCID: PMC10467112 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crop contamination by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), an Aspergillus-flavus-produced toxin, is frequently observed in tropical and subtropical regions. This phenomenon is emerging in Europe, most likely as a result of climate change. Alternative methods, such as biocontrol agents (BCAs), are currently being developed to reduce the use of chemicals in the prevention of mycotoxin contamination. Actinobacteria are known to produce many bioactive compounds, and some of them can reduce in vitro AFB1 concentration. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the effect of a cell-free supernatant (CFS) from Streptomyces roseolus culture on the development of A. flavus, as well as on its transcriptome profile using microarray assay and its impact on AFB1 concentration. Results demonstrated that in vitro, the S. roseolus CFS reduced the dry weight and conidiation of A. flavus from 77% and 43%, respectively, and was therefore associated with a reduction in AFB1 concentration reduction to levels under the limit of quantification. The transcriptomic data analysis revealed that 5198 genes were differentially expressed in response to the CFS exposure and among them 5169 were downregulated including most of the genes involved in biosynthetic gene clusters. The aflatoxins' gene cluster was the most downregulated. Other gene clusters, such as the aspergillic acid, aspirochlorine, and ustiloxin B gene clusters, were also downregulated and associated with a variation in their concentration, confirmed by LC-HRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Maud
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31326 Toulouse, France; (L.M.); (F.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Florian Boyer
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31326 Toulouse, France; (L.M.); (F.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Vanessa Durrieu
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030 Toulouse, France;
| | - Julie Bornot
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31326 Toulouse, France; (L.M.); (F.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Yannick Lippi
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France; (Y.L.); (C.N.); (S.L.); (O.P.)
| | - Claire Naylies
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France; (Y.L.); (C.N.); (S.L.); (O.P.)
| | - Sophie Lorber
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France; (Y.L.); (C.N.); (S.L.); (O.P.)
| | - Olivier Puel
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France; (Y.L.); (C.N.); (S.L.); (O.P.)
| | - Florence Mathieu
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31326 Toulouse, France; (L.M.); (F.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Selma P. Snini
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31326 Toulouse, France; (L.M.); (F.B.); (J.B.)
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5
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Ozaki T, Minami A, Oikawa H. Biosynthesis of indole diterpenes: a reconstitution approach in a heterologous host. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:202-213. [PMID: 36321441 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00031h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2013 to 2022In this review, we provide an overview elucidating the biosynthetic pathway and heterologous production of fungal indole diterpenes (IDTs). Based on the studies of six IDT biosynthesis, we extracted nature's strategy: (1) two-stage synthesis for the core scaffold and platform intermediates, and (2) late-stage modifications for installing an additional cyclic system on the indole ring. Herein, we describe reconstitution studies applying this strategy to the synthesis of highly elaborated IDTs. We also discuss its potential for future biosynthetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Ozaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan. .,Innovation Center of Marine Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, Guangdong, China.
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6
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Richardson AT, Cameron RC, Stevenson LJ, Singh AJ, Lukito Y, Berry D, Nicholson MJ, Parker EJ. Biosynthesis of Nodulisporic Acids: A Multifunctional Monooxygenase Delivers a Complex and Highly Branched Array. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202213364. [PMID: 36199176 PMCID: PMC10098816 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Nodulisporic acids (NAs) are structurally complex potent antiinsectan indole diterpenes. We previously reported the biosynthetic gene cluster for these metabolites in Hypoxylon pulicicidum and functionally characterised the first five steps of the biosynthetic pathway. Here we reveal a highly complex biosynthetic array, furnishing multiple end products through expression of cluster components in Penicillium paxilli. We show that seven additional cluster-encoded gene products comprise the biosynthetic machinery that elaborate precursor NAF in this highly branched pathway. The combined action of these enzymes delivers 37 NA congeners including four major end products, NAA, NAA1 , NAA2 and NAA4 . The plethora of intermediates arises due to modification of the carboxylated prenyl tail by a single promiscuous P450 monooxygenase, NodJ, a pivotal branchpoint enzyme which produces four distinct biosynthetic products giving rise to the complex metabolic grid that characterises NA biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair T. Richardson
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Rosannah C. Cameron
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Luke J. Stevenson
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - A. Jonathan Singh
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Yonathan Lukito
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Matthew J. Nicholson
- Wellington Univentures Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
| | - Emily J. Parker
- Ferrier Research Institute Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiscovery School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Wellington 6012 New Zealand
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7
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Kankanamge S, Khalil ZG, Bernhardt PV, Capon RJ. Noonindoles A-F: Rare Indole Diterpene Amino Acid Conjugates from a Marine-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus noonimiae CMB-M0339. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:698. [PMID: 36355021 PMCID: PMC9694122 DOI: 10.3390/md20110698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Analytical scale chemical/cultivation profiling prioritized the Australian marine-derived fungus Aspergillus noonimiae CMB-M0339. Subsequent investigation permitted isolation of noonindoles A-F (5-10) and detection of eight minor analogues (i-viii) as new examples of a rare class of indole diterpene (IDT) amino acid conjugate, indicative of an acyl amino acid transferase capable of incorporating a diverse range of amino acid residues. Structures for 5-10 were assigned by detailed spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The metabolites 5-14 exhibited no antibacterial properties against G-ve and G+ve bacteria or the fungus Candida albicans, with the exception of 5 which exhibited moderate antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarani Kankanamge
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zeinab G. Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul V. Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J. Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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8
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Won TH, Bok JW, Nadig N, Venkatesh N, Nickles G, Greco C, Lim FY, González JB, Turgeon BG, Keller NP, Schroeder FC. Copper starvation induces antimicrobial isocyanide integrated into two distinct biosynthetic pathways in fungi. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4828. [PMID: 35973982 PMCID: PMC9381783 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The genomes of many filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., include diverse biosynthetic gene clusters of unknown function. We previously showed that low copper levels upregulate a gene cluster that includes crmA, encoding a putative isocyanide synthase. Here we show, using untargeted comparative metabolomics, that CrmA generates a valine-derived isocyanide that contributes to two distinct biosynthetic pathways under copper-limiting conditions. Reaction of the isocyanide with an ergot alkaloid precursor results in carbon-carbon bond formation analogous to Strecker amino-acid synthesis, producing a group of alkaloids we term fumivalines. In addition, valine isocyanide contributes to biosynthesis of a family of acylated sugar alcohols, the fumicicolins, which are related to brassicicolin A, a known isocyanide from Alternaria brassicicola. CrmA homologs are found in a wide range of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi, some of which produce fumicicolin and fumivaline. Extracts from A. fumigatus wild type (but not crmA-deleted strains), grown under copper starvation, inhibit growth of diverse bacteria and fungi, and synthetic valine isocyanide shows antibacterial activity. CrmA thus contributes to two biosynthetic pathways downstream of trace-metal sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Hyung Won
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jin Woo Bok
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nischala Nadig
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nandhitha Venkatesh
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Grant Nickles
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Claudio Greco
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Fang Yun Lim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer B González
- Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- 104 Peckham Hall, Nazareth College, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - B Gillian Turgeon
- Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Frank C Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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9
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Yang K, Tian J, Keller NP. Post-translational modifications drive secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Aspergillus: a review. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2857-2881. [PMID: 35645150 PMCID: PMC9545273 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) are important for protein function and regulate multiple cellular processes and secondary metabolites (SMs) in fungi. Aspergillus species belong to a genus renown for an abundance of bioactive secondary metabolites, many important as toxins, pharmaceuticals and in industrial production. The genes required for secondary metabolites are typically co‐localized in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which often localize in heterochromatic regions of genome and are ‘turned off’ under laboratory condition. Efforts have been made to ‘turn on’ these BGCs by genetic manipulation of histone modifications, which could convert the heterochromatic structure to euchromatin. Additionally, non‐histone PTMs also play critical roles in the regulation of secondary metabolism. In this review, we collate the known roles of epigenetic and PTMs on Aspergillus SM production. We also summarize the proteomics approaches and bioinformatics tools for PTM identification and prediction and provide future perspectives on the emerging roles of PTM on regulation of SM biosynthesis in Aspergillus and other fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlong Yang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, USA
| | - Jun Tian
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, USA
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10
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McLellan RM, Cameron RC, Nicholson MJ, Parker EJ. Aminoacylation of Indole Diterpenes by Cluster-Specific Monomodular NRPS-like Enzymes. Org Lett 2022; 24:2332-2337. [PMID: 35315670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Decoration of the core scaffolds of indole diterpene (IDT) natural products is key to generating structural and bioactivity diversity. Aminoacylation as a tailoring step is rarely linked to terpene biosynthesis and is extremely rare in IDT biosynthesis. Through heterologous pathway reconstruction, we have illuminated the genetic and biochemical basis for the only reported examples of aminoacylation in IDT biosynthesis, demonstrating the unusual involvement of monomodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzymes in IDT decoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose M McLellan
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Rosannah C Cameron
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Matthew J Nicholson
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Emily J Parker
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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11
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Wei X, Wang WG, Matsuda Y. Branching and converging pathways in fungal natural product biosynthesis. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2022; 9:6. [PMID: 35255990 PMCID: PMC8902786 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-022-00135-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn nature, organic molecules with great structural diversity and complexity are synthesized by utilizing a relatively small number of starting materials. A synthetic strategy adopted by nature is pathway branching, in which a common biosynthetic intermediate is transformed into different end products. A natural product can also be synthesized by the fusion of two or more precursors generated from separate metabolic pathways. This review article summarizes several representative branching and converging pathways in fungal natural product biosynthesis to illuminate how fungi are capable of synthesizing a diverse array of natural products.
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12
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Costes LH, Lippi Y, Naylies C, Jamin EL, Genthon C, Bailly S, Oswald IP, Bailly JD, Puel O. The Solvent Dimethyl Sulfoxide Affects Physiology, Transcriptome and Secondary Metabolism of Aspergillus flavus. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121055. [PMID: 34947037 PMCID: PMC8703953 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DSMO) is a simple molecule widely used because of its great solvating ability, but this solvent also has little-known biological effects, especially on fungi. Aspergillus flavus is a notorious pathogenic fungus which may contaminate a large variety of crops worldwide by producing aflatoxins, endangering at the same time food safety and international trade. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of DMSO on A. flavus including developmental parameters such as germination and sporulation, as well as its transcriptome profile using high-throughput RNA-sequencing assay and its impact on secondary metabolism (SM). After DMSO exposure, A. flavus displayed depigmented conidia in a dose-dependent manner. The four-day exposition of cultures to two doses of DMSO, chosen on the basis of depigmentation intensity (35 mM “low” and 282 mM “high”), led to no significant impact on fungal growth, germination or sporulation. However, transcriptomic data analysis showed that 4891 genes were differentially regulated in response to DMSO (46% of studied transcripts). A total of 4650 genes were specifically regulated in response to the highest dose of DMSO, while only 19 genes were modulated upon exposure to the lowest dose. Secondary metabolites clusters genes were widely affected by the DMSO, with 91% of clusters impacted at the highest dose. Among these, aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid and ustiloxin B clusters were totally under-expressed. The genes belonging to the AFB1 cluster were the most negatively modulated ones, the two doses leading to 63% and 100% inhibition of the AFB1 production, respectively. The SM analysis also showed the disappearance of ustiloxin B and a 10-fold reduction of cyclopiazonic acid level when A. flavus was treated by the higher DMSO dose. In conclusion, the present study showed that DMSO impacted widely A. flavus’ transcriptome, including secondary metabolism gene clusters with the aflatoxins at the head of down-regulated ones. The solvent also inhibits conidial pigmentation, which could illustrate common regulatory mechanisms between aflatoxins and fungal pigment pathways. Because of its effect on major metabolites synthesis, DMSO should not be used as solvent especially in studies testing anti-aflatoxinogenic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H. Costes
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
| | - Yannick Lippi
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
| | - Claire Naylies
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
| | - Emilien L. Jamin
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
- Metatoul-AXIOM Platform, MetaboHUB, National Infrastructure for Metabolomics and Fluxomics, Toulouse 31000, France
| | - Clémence Genthon
- INRAE, US1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France;
| | - Sylviane Bailly
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
| | - Isabelle P. Oswald
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
| | - Jean-Denis Bailly
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Olivier Puel
- TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, EI-Purpan, Toulouse 31027, France; (L.H.C.); (Y.L.); (C.N.); (E.L.J.); (S.B.); (I.P.O.); (O.P.)
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13
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Wang X, Subko K, Kildgaard S, Frisvad JC, Larsen TO. Mass Spectrometry-Based Network Analysis Reveals New Insights Into the Chemodiversity of 28 Species in Aspergillus section Flavi. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 2:719420. [PMID: 37744124 PMCID: PMC10512371 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.719420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus section Flavi includes some of the most famous mycotoxin producing filamentous fungi known to mankind. In recent years a number of new species have been included in section Flavi, however these species have been much less studied from a chemical point of view. In this study, we explored one representative strain of a total of 28 fungal species in section Flavi by systematically evaluating the relationship between taxonomy and secondary metabolites with LC-MS/MS analysis for the first time and dereplication through an in-house database and the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. This approach allowed rapid identification of two new cyclopiazonic acid producers (A. alliaceus and A. arachidicola) and two new tenuazonic acid producers (A. arachidicola and A. leporis). Moreover, for the first time we report species from section Flavi to produce fumifungin and sphingofungins B-D. Altogether, this study emphasizes that the chemical diversity of species in genus Aspergillus section Flavi is larger than previously recognized, and especially that understudied species are prolific producers of important mycotoxins such as fumi- and sphingofungins not previously reported from this section. Furthermore, our work demonstrates Global Natural Product Social (GNPS) Molecular Networking as a powerful tool for large-scale chemotaxonomic analysis of closely related species in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Karolina Subko
- Food Machinery and Chemical (FMC) Agricultural Solutions, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Sara Kildgaard
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas O. Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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14
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Microevolution in the pansecondary metabolome of Aspergillus flavus and its potential macroevolutionary implications for filamentous fungi. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021683118. [PMID: 34016748 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021683118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi produce a wealth of pharmacologically bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs) from biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). It is common practice for drug discovery efforts to treat species' secondary metabolomes as being well represented by a single or a small number of representative genomes. However, this approach misses the possibility that intraspecific population dynamics, such as adaptation to environmental conditions or local microbiomes, may harbor novel BGCs that contribute to the overall niche breadth of species. Using 94 isolates of Aspergillus flavus, a cosmopolitan model fungus, sampled from seven states in the United States, we dereplicate 7,821 BGCs into 92 unique BGCs. We find that more than 25% of pangenomic BGCs show population-specific patterns of presence/absence or protein divergence. Population-specific BGCs make up most of the accessory-genome BGCs, suggesting that different ecological forces that maintain accessory genomes may be partially mediated by population-specific differences in secondary metabolism. We use ultra-high-performance high-resolution mass spectrometry to confirm that these genetic differences in BGCs also result in chemotypic differences in SM production in different populations, which could mediate ecological interactions and be acted on by selection. Thus, our results suggest a paradigm shift that previously unrealized population-level reservoirs of SM diversity may be of significant evolutionary, ecological, and pharmacological importance. Last, we find that several population-specific BGCs from A. flavus are present in Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus minisclerotigenes and discuss how the microevolutionary patterns we uncover inform macroevolutionary inferences and help to align fungal secondary metabolism with existing evolutionary theory.
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15
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Navale V, Vamkudoth KR, Ajmera S, Dhuri V. Aspergillus derived mycotoxins in food and the environment: Prevalence, detection, and toxicity. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1008-1030. [PMID: 34408970 PMCID: PMC8363598 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are the paramount ubiquitous fungi that contaminate various food substrates and produce biochemicals known as mycotoxins. Aflatoxins (AFTs), ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), citrinin (CIT), aflatrem (AT), secalonic acids (SA), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), terrein (TR), sterigmatocystin (ST) and gliotoxin (GT), and other toxins produced by species of Aspergillus plays a major role in food and human health. Mycotoxins exhibited wide range of toxicity to the humans and animal models even at nanomolar (nM) concentration. Consumption of detrimental mycotoxins adulterated foodstuffs affects human and animal health even trace amounts. Bioaerosols consisting of spores and hyphal fragments are active elicitors of bronchial irritation and allergy, and challenging to the public health. Aspergillus is the furthermost predominant environmental contaminant unswervingly defile lives with a 40-90 % mortality risk in patients with conceded immunity. Genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches useful for mycotoxins' detection which are expensive. Antibody based detection of toxins chemotypes may result in cross-reactivity and uncertainty. Aptamers (APT) are single stranded DNA (ssDNA/RNA), are specifically binds to the target molecules can be generated by systematic evolution of ligands through exponential enrichment (SELEX). APT are fast, sensitive, simple, in-expensive, and field-deployable rapid point of care (POC) detection of toxins, and a better alternative to antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwambar Navale
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | - Koteswara Rao Vamkudoth
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Vaibhavi Dhuri
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, India
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16
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Mitsuhashi T, Barra L, Powers Z, Kojasoy V, Cheng A, Yang F, Taniguchi Y, Kikuchi T, Fujita M, Tantillo DJ, Porco JA, Abe I. Exploiting the Potential of Meroterpenoid Cyclases to Expand the Chemical Space of Fungal Meroterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:23772-23781. [PMID: 32931152 PMCID: PMC8957209 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungal meroterpenoids are a diverse group of hybrid natural products with impressive structural complexity and high potential as drug candidates. In this work, we evaluate the promiscuity of the early structure diversity-generating step in fungal meroterpenoid biosynthetic pathways: the multibond-forming polyene cyclizations catalyzed by the yet poorly understood family of fungal meroterpenoid cyclases. In total, 12 unnatural meroterpenoids were accessed chemoenzymatically using synthetic substrates. Their complex structures were determined by 2D NMR studies as well as crystalline-sponge-based X-ray diffraction analyses. The results obtained revealed a high degree of enzyme promiscuity and experimental results which together with quantum chemical calculations provided a deeper insight into the catalytic activity of this new family of non-canonical, terpene cyclases. The knowledge obtained paves the way to design and engineer artificial pathways towards second generation meroterpenoids with valuable bioactivities based on combinatorial biosynthetic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8787 (Japan)
| | - Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
| | - Zachary Powers
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Volga Kojasoy
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616 (USA)
| | - Andrea Cheng
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Yoshimasa Taniguchi
- Central Laboratories for Key Technologies, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kana-zawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004 (Japan)
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Rigaku Corporation, 3-9-12 Matsubara-cho, Akishima-shi, Tokyo 196-8666 (Japan)
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8787 (Japan)
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656 (Japan)
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616 (USA)
| | - John A. Porco
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657 (Japan)
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17
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Fountain J, Pandey A, Nayak S, Bajaj P, Wang H, Kumar V, Chitikineni A, Abbas H, Scully B, Kemerait R, Pandey M, Guo B, Varshney R. Transcriptional responses of toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to oxidative stress in aflatoxin-conducive and non-conducive media. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2020. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2020.2566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxin production by isolates of Aspergillus flavus varies, ranging from highly toxigenic to completely atoxigenic. Several mechanisms have been identified which regulate aflatoxin production including medium carbon source and oxidative stress. In recent studies, aflatoxin production has been implicated in partially ameliorating oxidative stress in A. flavus. To better understand the role of aflatoxin production in oxidative stress responses, a selection of toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus with moderate to high oxidative stress tolerance were exposed to increasing concentrations of H2O2 in both aflatoxin-conducive and non-conducive media. Mycelial mats were collected for global transcriptome sequencing followed by differential expression, functional prediction, and weighted co-expression analyses. Oxidative stress and medium carbon source had a significant effect on the expression of several secondary metabolite gene clusters including those for aflatoxin, aflatrem, aflavarin, cyclopiazonic acid, and kojic acid. Atoxigenic biological control isolates showed less differential expression under stress than other atoxigenic isolates suggesting expression profiles may be useful in screening. Increasing stress also resulted in regulation of SakA/Hog1 and MpkA MAP kinase signalling pathways pointing to their potential roles in regulating oxidative stress responses. Their expression was also influenced by medium carbon source. These results suggest that aflatoxin production along with that of other mycotoxins may occur as part of a concerted coping mechanism for oxidative stress and its effects in the environment. This mechanism is also regulated by availability of simple sugars and glycolytic compounds for their biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.C. Fountain
- USDA-ARS, Crop Protection and Management Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - A.K. Pandey
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - S.N. Nayak
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka 580005, India
| | - P. Bajaj
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - H. Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - V. Kumar
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - A. Chitikineni
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - H.K. Abbas
- USDA-ARS, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, USA
| | - B.T. Scully
- USDA-ARS, National Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - R.C. Kemerait
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - M.K. Pandey
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - B. Guo
- USDA-ARS, Crop Protection and Management Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - R.K. Varshney
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
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18
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Fountain J, Pandey A, Nayak S, Bajaj P, Wang H, Kumar V, Chitikineni A, Abbas H, Scully B, Kemerait R, Pandey M, Guo B, Varshney R. Transcriptional responses of toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to oxidative stress in aflatoxin-conducive and non-conducive media. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2020. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2020.test2566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxin production by isolates of Aspergillus flavus varies, ranging from highly toxigenic to completely atoxigenic. Several mechanisms have been identified which regulate aflatoxin production including medium carbon source and oxidative stress. In recent studies, aflatoxin production has been implicated in partially ameliorating oxidative stress in A. flavus. To better understand the role of aflatoxin production in oxidative stress responses, a selection of toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus with moderate to high oxidative stress tolerance were exposed to increasing concentrations of H2O2 in both aflatoxin-conducive and non-conducive media. Mycelial mats were collected for global transcriptome sequencing followed by differential expression, functional prediction, and weighted co-expression analyses. Oxidative stress and medium carbon source had a significant effect on the expression of several secondary metabolite gene clusters including those for aflatoxin, aflatrem, aflavarin, cyclopiazonic acid, and kojic acid. Atoxigenic biological control isolates showed less differential expression under stress than other atoxigenic isolates suggesting expression profiles may be useful in screening. Increasing stress also resulted in regulation of SakA/Hog1 and MpkA MAP kinase signalling pathways pointing to their potential roles in regulating oxidative stress responses. Their expression was also influenced by medium carbon source. These results suggest that aflatoxin production along with that of other mycotoxins may occur as part of a concerted coping mechanism for oxidative stress and its effects in the environment. This mechanism is also regulated by availability of simple sugars and glycolytic compounds for their biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.C. Fountain
- USDA-ARS, Crop Protection and Management Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - A.K. Pandey
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - S.N. Nayak
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka 580005, India
| | - P. Bajaj
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - H. Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - V. Kumar
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - A. Chitikineni
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - H.K. Abbas
- USDA-ARS, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, USA
| | - B.T. Scully
- USDA-ARS, National Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
| | - R.C. Kemerait
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - M.K. Pandey
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
| | - B. Guo
- USDA-ARS, Crop Protection and Management Research Unit, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - R.K. Varshney
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana 502324, India
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19
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Mitsuhashi T, Barra L, Powers Z, Kojasoy V, Cheng A, Yang F, Taniguchi Y, Kikuchi T, Fujita M, Tantillo DJ, Porco JA, Abe I. Exploiting the Potential of Meroterpenoid Cyclases to Expand the Chemical Space of Fungal Meroterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202011171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science Institute for Molecular Science National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Zachary Powers
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Volga Kojasoy
- Department of Chemistry University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue Davis California 95616 USA
| | - Andrea Cheng
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Yoshimasa Taniguchi
- Central Laboratories for Key Technologies Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kana-zawa-ku, Yokohama-shi Kanagawa 236-0004 Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Rigaku Corporation 3-9-12 Matsubara-cho, Akishima-shi Tokyo 196-8666 Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science Institute for Molecular Science National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue Davis California 95616 USA
| | - John A. Porco
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
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20
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Uka V, Cary JW, Lebar MD, Puel O, De Saeger S, Diana Di Mavungu J. Chemical repertoire and biosynthetic machinery of the Aspergillus flavus secondary metabolome: A review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2020; 19:2797-2842. [PMID: 33337039 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi represent a rich source of extrolites, including secondary metabolites (SMs) comprising a great variety of astonishing structures and interesting bioactivities. State-of-the-art techniques in genome mining, genetic manipulation, and secondary metabolomics have enabled the scientific community to better elucidate and more deeply appreciate the genetic and biosynthetic chemical arsenal of these microorganisms. Aspergillus flavus is best known as a contaminant of food and feed commodities and a producer of the carcinogenic family of SMs, aflatoxins. This fungus produces many SMs including polyketides, ribosomal and nonribosomal peptides, terpenoids, and other hybrid molecules. This review will discuss the chemical diversity, biosynthetic pathways, and biological/ecological role of A. flavus SMs, as well as their significance concerning food safety and security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdet Uka
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Division of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina, Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Jeffrey W Cary
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Matthew D Lebar
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Olivier Puel
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - José Diana Di Mavungu
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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21
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Vicente I, Baroncelli R, Morán-Diez ME, Bernardi R, Puntoni G, Hermosa R, Monte E, Vannacci G, Sarrocco S. Combined Comparative Genomics and Gene Expression Analyses Provide Insights into the Terpene Synthases Inventory in Trichoderma. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1603. [PMID: 33081019 PMCID: PMC7603203 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichoderma is a fungal genus comprising species used as biocontrol agents in crop plant protection and with high value for industry. The beneficial effects of these species are supported by the secondary metabolites they produce. Terpenoid compounds are key players in the interaction of Trichoderma spp. with the environment and with their fungal and plant hosts; however, most of the terpene synthase (TS) genes involved in their biosynthesis have yet not been characterized. Here, we combined comparative genomics of TSs of 21 strains belonging to 17 Trichoderma spp., and gene expression studies on TSs using T. gamsii T6085 as a model. An overview of the diversity within the TS-gene family and the regulation of TS genes is provided. We identified 15 groups of TSs, and the presence of clade-specific enzymes revealed a variety of terpenoid chemotypes evolved to cover different ecological demands. We propose that functional differentiation of gene family members is the driver for the high number of TS genes found in the genomes of Trichoderma. Expression studies provide a picture in which different TS genes are regulated in many ways, which is a strong indication of different biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Vicente
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.B.); (G.P.); (G.V.); (S.S.)
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Campus Villamayor, 37185 Salamanca, Spain; (R.B.); (M.E.M.-D.); (R.H.); (E.M.)
| | - Riccardo Baroncelli
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Campus Villamayor, 37185 Salamanca, Spain; (R.B.); (M.E.M.-D.); (R.H.); (E.M.)
| | - María Eugenia Morán-Diez
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Campus Villamayor, 37185 Salamanca, Spain; (R.B.); (M.E.M.-D.); (R.H.); (E.M.)
| | - Rodolfo Bernardi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.B.); (G.P.); (G.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Grazia Puntoni
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.B.); (G.P.); (G.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Rosa Hermosa
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Campus Villamayor, 37185 Salamanca, Spain; (R.B.); (M.E.M.-D.); (R.H.); (E.M.)
| | - Enrique Monte
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Campus Villamayor, 37185 Salamanca, Spain; (R.B.); (M.E.M.-D.); (R.H.); (E.M.)
| | - Giovanni Vannacci
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.B.); (G.P.); (G.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Sabrina Sarrocco
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.B.); (G.P.); (G.V.); (S.S.)
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Abstract
Covering: up to July 2020Fungal meroterpenoid cyclases are a recently discovered emerging family of membrane-integrated, non-canonical terpene cyclases. They catalyze the conversion of hybrid isoprenic precursors towards complex scaffolds and are therefore of great importance in the structure diversification in meroterpenoid biosynthesis. The products of these pathways exhibit intriguing molecular scaffolds and highly potent bioactivities, making them privileged structures from Nature and attractive candidates for drug development or industrial applications. This review will provide a comprehensive and comparative view on fungal meroterpenoid cyclases, their intriguing chemistries and importance for the scaffold formation step towards polycyclic meroterpenoid natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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23
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Gilchrist CLM, Lacey HJ, Vuong D, Pitt JI, Lange L, Lacey E, Pilgaard B, Chooi YH, Piggott AM. Comprehensive chemotaxonomic and genomic profiling of a biosynthetically talented Australian fungus, Aspergillus burnettii sp. nov. Fungal Genet Biol 2020; 143:103435. [PMID: 32702474 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus burnettii is a new species belonging to the A. alliaceus clade in Aspergillus subgenus Circumdati section Flavi isolated from peanut-growing properties in southern Queensland, Australia. A. burnettii is a fast-growing, floccose fungus with distinctive brown conidia and is a talented producer of biomass-degrading enzymes and secondary metabolites. Chemical profiling of A. burnettii revealed the metabolites ochratoxin A, kotanins, isokotanins, asperlicin E, anominine and paspalinine, which are common to subgenus Circumdati, together with burnettiene A, burnettramic acids, burnettides, and high levels of 14α-hydroxypaspalinine and hirsutide. The genome of A. burnettii was sequenced and an annotated draft genome is presented. A. burnettii is rich in secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, containing 51 polyketide synthases, 28 non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and 19 genes related to terpene biosynthesis. Functional annotation of digestive enzymes of A. burnettii and A. alliaceus revealed overlapping carbon utilisation profiles, consistent with a close phylogenetic relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron L M Gilchrist
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Heather J Lacey
- Microbial Screening Technologies, Smithfield, NSW 2164, Australia
| | - Daniel Vuong
- Microbial Screening Technologies, Smithfield, NSW 2164, Australia
| | - John I Pitt
- Microbial Screening Technologies, Smithfield, NSW 2164, Australia
| | - Lene Lange
- Center for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; BioEconomy, Research & Advisory, Karensgade 5, 2500 Valby, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ernest Lacey
- Microbial Screening Technologies, Smithfield, NSW 2164, Australia; Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Bo Pilgaard
- Center for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yit-Heng Chooi
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Andrew M Piggott
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
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24
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Genetic Underpinnings of Host Manipulation by Ophiocordyceps as Revealed by Comparative Transcriptomics. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:2275-2296. [PMID: 32354705 PMCID: PMC7341126 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ant-infecting Ophiocordyceps fungi are globally distributed, host manipulating, specialist parasites that drive aberrant behaviors in infected ants, at a lethal cost to the host. An apparent increase in activity and wandering behaviors precedes a final summiting and biting behavior onto vegetation, which positions the manipulated ant in a site beneficial for fungal growth and transmission. We investigated the genetic underpinnings of host manipulation by: (i) producing a high-quality hybrid assembly and annotation of the Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani genome, (ii) conducting laboratory infections coupled with RNAseq of O. camponoti-floridani and its host, Camponotus floridanus, and (iii) comparing these data to RNAseq data of Ophiocordyceps kimflemingiae and Camponotus castaneus as a powerful method to identify gene expression patterns that suggest shared behavioral manipulation mechanisms across Ophiocordyceps-ant species interactions. We propose differentially expressed genes tied to ant neurobiology, odor response, circadian rhythms, and foraging behavior may result by activity of putative fungal effectors such as enterotoxins, aflatrem, and mechanisms disrupting feeding behaviors in the ant.
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25
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Bharadwaj R, Jagadeesan H, Kumar SR, Ramalingam S. Molecular mechanisms in grass-Epichloë interactions: towards endophyte driven farming to improve plant fitness and immunity. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:92. [PMID: 32562008 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
All plants harbor many microbial species including bacteria and fungi in their tissues. The interactions between the plant and these microbes could be symbiotic, mutualistic, parasitic or commensalistic. Mutualistic microorganisms are endophytic in nature and are known to play a role in plant growth, development and fitness. Endophytes display complex diversity depending upon the agro-climatic conditions and this diversity could be exploited for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. Plant-endophyte partnerships are highly specific, several genetic and molecular cascades play a key role in colonization of endophytes in host plants leading to rapid changes in host and endophyte metabolism. This results in the accumulation of secondary metabolites, which play an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Alkaloids are one of the important class of metabolites produced by Epichloë genus and other related classes of endophytes and confer protection against insect and mammalian herbivory. In this context, this review discusses the evolutionary aspects of the Epichloë genus along with key molecular mechanisms determining the lifestyle of Epichloë endophytes in host system. Novel hypothesis is proposed to outline the initial cellular signaling events during colonization of Epichloë in cool season grasses. Complex clustering of alkaloid biosynthetic genes and molecular mechanisms involved in the production of alkaloids have been elaborated in detail. The natural defense and advantages of the endophyte derived metabolites have also been extensively discussed. Finally, this review highlights the importance of endophyte-arbitrated plant immunity to develop novel approaches for eco-friendly agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bharadwaj
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - H Jagadeesan
- Department of Biotechnology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S R Kumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - S Ramalingam
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.
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26
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Willems T, De Mol ML, De Bruycker A, De Maeseneire SL, Soetaert WK. Alkaloids from Marine Fungi: Promising Antimicrobials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9060340. [PMID: 32570899 PMCID: PMC7345139 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9060340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance of pathogenic microorganisms against antimicrobials is a major threat to contemporary human society. It necessitates a perpetual influx of novel antimicrobial compounds. More specifically, Gram− pathogens emerged as the most exigent danger. In our continuing quest to search for novel antimicrobial molecules, alkaloids from marine fungi show great promise. However, current reports of such newly discovered alkaloids are often limited to cytotoxicity studies and, moreover, neglect to discuss the enigma of their biosynthesis. Yet, the latter is often a prerequisite to make them available through sufficiently efficient processes. This review aims to summarize novel alkaloids with promising antimicrobial properties discovered in the past five years and produced by marine fungi. Several discovery strategies are summarized, and knowledge gaps in biochemical production routes are identified. Finally, links between the structure of the newly discovered molecules and their activity are proposed. Since 2015, a total of 35 new antimicrobial alkaloids from marine fungi were identified, of which 22 showed an antibacterial activity against Gram− microorganisms. Eight of them can be classified as narrow-spectrum Gram− antibiotics. Despite this promising ratio of novel alkaloids active against Gram− microorganisms, the number of newly discovered antimicrobial alkaloids is low, due to the narrow spectrum of discovery protocols that are used and the fact that antimicrobial properties of newly discovered alkaloids are barely characterized. Alternatives are proposed in this review. In conclusion, this review summarizes novel findings on antimicrobial alkaloids from marine fungi, shows their potential as promising therapeutic candidates, and hints on how to further improve this potential.
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27
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Rudolf JD, Chang CY. Terpene synthases in disguise: enzymology, structure, and opportunities of non-canonical terpene synthases. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:425-463. [PMID: 31650156 PMCID: PMC7101268 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00051h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to July 2019 Terpene synthases (TSs) are responsible for generating much of the structural diversity found in the superfamily of terpenoid natural products. These elegant enzymes mediate complex carbocation-based cyclization and rearrangement cascades with a variety of electron-rich linear and cyclic substrates. For decades, two main classes of TSs, divided by how they generate the reaction-triggering initial carbocation, have dominated the field of terpene enzymology. Recently, several novel and unconventional TSs that perform TS-like reactions but do not resemble canonical TSs in sequence or structure have been discovered. In this review, we identify 12 families of non-canonical TSs and examine their sequences, structures, functions, and proposed mechanisms. Nature provides a wide diversity of enzymes, including prenyltransferases, methyltransferases, P450s, and NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases, as well as completely new enzymes, that utilize distinctive reaction mechanisms for TS chemistry. These unique non-canonical TSs provide immense opportunities to understand how nature evolved different tools for terpene biosynthesis by structural and mechanistic characterization while affording new probes for the discovery of novel terpenoid natural products and gene clusters via genome mining. With every new discovery, the dualistic paradigm of TSs is contradicted and the field of terpene chemistry and enzymology continues to expand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
| | - Chin-Yuan Chang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
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28
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Kjærbølling I, Vesth T, Frisvad JC, Nybo JL, Theobald S, Kildgaard S, Petersen TI, Kuo A, Sato A, Lyhne EK, Kogle ME, Wiebenga A, Kun RS, Lubbers RJM, Mäkelä MR, Barry K, Chovatia M, Clum A, Daum C, Haridas S, He G, LaButti K, Lipzen A, Mondo S, Pangilinan J, Riley R, Salamov A, Simmons BA, Magnuson JK, Henrissat B, Mortensen UH, Larsen TO, de Vries RP, Grigoriev IV, Machida M, Baker SE, Andersen MR. A comparative genomics study of 23 Aspergillus species from section Flavi. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1106. [PMID: 32107379 PMCID: PMC7046712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14051-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Section Flavi encompasses both harmful and beneficial Aspergillus species, such as Aspergillus oryzae, used in food fermentation and enzyme production, and Aspergillus flavus, food spoiler and mycotoxin producer. Here, we sequence 19 genomes spanning section Flavi and compare 31 fungal genomes including 23 Flavi species. We reassess their phylogenetic relationships and show that the closest relative of A. oryzae is not A. flavus, but A. minisclerotigenes or A. aflatoxiformans and identify high genome diversity, especially in sub-telomeric regions. We predict abundant CAZymes (598 per species) and prolific secondary metabolite gene clusters (73 per species) in section Flavi. However, the observed phenotypes (growth characteristics, polysaccharide degradation) do not necessarily correlate with inferences made from the predicted CAZyme content. Our work, including genomic analyses, phenotypic assays, and identification of secondary metabolites, highlights the genetic and metabolic diversity within section Flavi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Kjærbølling
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tammi Vesth
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens C Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jane L Nybo
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Theobald
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sara Kildgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Isbrandt Petersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alan Kuo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Atsushi Sato
- Kikkoman Corporation, 250 Noda, 278-0037, Noda, Japan
| | - Ellen K Lyhne
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martin E Kogle
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ad Wiebenga
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roland S Kun
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronnie J M Lubbers
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Miia R Mäkelä
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kerrie Barry
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Mansi Chovatia
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Alicia Clum
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Chris Daum
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Sajeet Haridas
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Guifen He
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Kurt LaButti
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Anna Lipzen
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Stephen Mondo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Jasmyn Pangilinan
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Robert Riley
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Asaf Salamov
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
| | - Blake A Simmons
- US Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Jon K Magnuson
- US Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, (CNRS UMR 7257, Aix-Marseille University, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Uffe H Mortensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas O Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ronald P de Vries
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, 111 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Masayuki Machida
- Kanazawa Institute of Technology, 3 Chome-1, 924-0838 Yatsukaho, Hakusan-shi, Ishikawa-ken, Japan
| | - Scott E Baker
- US Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Mikael R Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltoft Plads 223, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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29
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Functional characterization of the idtF and idtP genes in the Claviceps paspali indole diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:605-613. [PMID: 32077051 PMCID: PMC7244603 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00777-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Claviceps paspali is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of ergot alkaloids. This fungus also biosynthesizes paspalitrems, indole diterpene (IDT) mycotoxins that cause significant economic losses in agriculture and represent safety concerns for ergot alkaloid manufacture. Here, we use Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to replace the idtP and the idtF genes in the IDT biosynthetic gene cluster of C. paspali with a selectable marker gene. We show that the ΔidtP knockout mutant produces paspaline, the first IDT intermediate of the pathway. The ΔidtF strain produces unprenylated IDTs such as paspalinine and paspaline. These experiments validate the function of idtP as the gene encoding the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that oxidizes and demethylates paspaline to produce 13-desoxypaxilline, and that of idtF as the gene that encodes the α-prenyltransferase that prenylates paspalinine at the C20 or the C21 positions to yield paspalitrems A and C, respectively. In addition, we also show that axenic cultures of the wild type, the ΔidtP and the ΔidtF mutant C. paspali strains fail to produce an assembly of IDTs that are present in C. paspali–Paspalum spp. associations.
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30
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Pfliegler WP, Pócsi I, Győri Z, Pusztahelyi T. The Aspergilli and Their Mycotoxins: Metabolic Interactions With Plants and the Soil Biota. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2921. [PMID: 32117074 PMCID: PMC7029702 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of the highly diverse fungal genus Aspergillus are well-known agricultural pests, and, most importantly, producers of various mycotoxins threatening food safety worldwide. Mycotoxins are studied predominantly from the perspectives of human and livestock health. Meanwhile, their roles are far less known in nature. However, to understand the factors behind mycotoxin production, the roles of the toxins of Aspergilli must be understood from a complex ecological perspective, taking mold-plant, mold-microbe, and mold-animal interactions into account. The Aspergilli may switch between saprophytic and pathogenic lifestyles, and the production of secondary metabolites, such as mycotoxins, may vary according to these fungal ways of life. Recent studies highlighted the complex ecological network of soil microbiotas determining the niches that Aspergilli can fill in. Interactions with the soil microbiota and soil macro-organisms determine the role of secondary metabolite production to a great extent. While, upon infection of plants, metabolic communication including fungal secondary metabolites like aflatoxins, gliotoxin, patulin, cyclopiazonic acid, and ochratoxin, influences the fate of both the invader and the host. In this review, the role of mycotoxin producing Aspergillus species and their interactions in the ecosystem are discussed. We intend to highlight the complexity of the roles of the main toxic secondary metabolites as well as their fate in natural environments and agriculture, a field that still has important knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter P. Pfliegler
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Győri
- Institute of Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tünde Pusztahelyi
- Central Laboratory of Agricultural and Food Products, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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31
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Bai X, Guo H, Chen D, Yang Q, Tao J, Liu W. Isolation and structure determination of two new nosiheptide-type compounds provide insights into the function of the cytochrome P450 oxygenase NocV in nocathiacin biosynthesis. Org Chem Front 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9qo01328h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Two new nosiheptide-type compounds isolated from an engineered strain provide insights into the function of the cytochrome P450 oxygenase NocV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuebing Bai
- Department of General Dentistry
- Ninth People's Hospital
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
- Shanghai 200011
- China
| | - Heng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry
- Center for Excellence on Molecular Synthesis
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai 200032
| | - Dandan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry
- Center for Excellence on Molecular Synthesis
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai 200032
| | - Qian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry
- Center for Excellence on Molecular Synthesis
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai 200032
| | - Jiang Tao
- Department of General Dentistry
- Ninth People's Hospital
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
- Shanghai 200011
- China
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry
- Center for Excellence on Molecular Synthesis
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Shanghai 200032
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32
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Rokas A, Wisecaver JH, Lind AL. The birth, evolution and death of metabolic gene clusters in fungi. Nat Rev Microbiol 2019; 16:731-744. [PMID: 30194403 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-018-0075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Fungi contain a remarkable diversity of both primary and secondary metabolic pathways involved in ecologically specialized or accessory functions. Genes in these pathways are frequently physically linked on fungal chromosomes, forming metabolic gene clusters (MGCs). In this Review, we describe the diversity in the structure and content of fungal MGCs, their population-level and species-level variation, the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie their formation, maintenance and decay, and their ecological and evolutionary impact on fungal populations. We also discuss MGCs from other eukaryotes and the reasons for their preponderance in fungi. Improved knowledge of the evolutionary life cycle of MGCs will advance our understanding of the ecology of specialized metabolism and of the interplay between the lifestyle of an organism and genome architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Jennifer H Wisecaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Abigail L Lind
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
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33
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Tremorgenic Mycotoxins: Structure Diversity and Biological Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050302. [PMID: 31137882 PMCID: PMC6563255 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole-diterpenes are an important class of chemical compounds which can be unique to different fungal species. The highly complex lolitrem compounds are confined to Epichloë species, whilst penitrem production is confined to Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. These fungal species are often present in association with pasture grasses, and the indole-diterpenes produced may cause toxicity in grazing animals. In this review, we highlight the unique structural variations of indole-diterpenes that are characterised into subgroups, including paspaline, paxilline, shearinines, paspalitrems, terpendoles, penitrems, lolitrems, janthitrems, and sulpinines. A detailed description of the unique biological activities has been documented where even structurally related compounds have displayed unique biological activities. Indole-diterpene production has been reported in two classes of ascomycete fungi, namely Eurotiomycetes (e.g., Aspergillus and Penicillium) and Sordariomycetes (e.g., Claviceps and Epichloë). These compounds all have a common structural core comprised of a cyclic diterpene skeleton derived from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) and an indole moiety derived from tryptophan. Structure diversity is generated from the enzymatic conversion of different sites on the basic indole-diterpene structure. This review highlights the wide-ranging biological versatility presented by the indole-diterpene group of compounds and their role in an agricultural and pharmaceutical setting.
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34
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Araki Y, Awakawa T, Matsuzaki M, Cho R, Matsuda Y, Hoshino S, Shinohara Y, Yamamoto M, Kido Y, Inaoka DK, Nagamune K, Ito K, Abe I, Kita K. Complete biosynthetic pathways of ascofuranone and ascochlorin in Acremonium egyptiacum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8269-8274. [PMID: 30952781 PMCID: PMC6486709 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819254116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascofuranone (AF) and ascochlorin (AC) are meroterpenoids produced by various filamentous fungi, including Acremonium egyptiacum (synonym: Acremonium sclerotigenum), and exhibit diverse physiological activities. In particular, AF is a promising drug candidate against African trypanosomiasis and a potential anticancer lead compound. These compounds are supposedly biosynthesized through farnesylation of orsellinic acid, but the details have not been established. In this study, we present all of the reactions and responsible genes for AF and AC biosyntheses in A. egyptiacum, identified by heterologous expression, in vitro reconstruction, and gene deletion experiments with the aid of a genome-wide differential expression analysis. Both pathways share the common precursor, ilicicolin A epoxide, which is processed by the membrane-bound terpene cyclase (TPC) AscF in AC biosynthesis. AF biosynthesis branches from the precursor by hydroxylation at C-16 by the P450 monooxygenase AscH, followed by cyclization by a membrane-bound TPC AscI. All genes required for AC biosynthesis (ascABCDEFG) and a transcriptional factor (ascR) form a functional gene cluster, whereas those involved in the late steps of AF biosynthesis (ascHIJ) are present in another distantly located cluster. AF is therefore a rare example of fungal secondary metabolites requiring multilocus biosynthetic clusters, which are likely to be controlled by the single regulator, AscR. Finally, we achieved the selective production of AF in A. egyptiacum by genetically blocking the AC biosynthetic pathway; further manipulation of the strain will lead to the cost-effective mass production required for the clinical use of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Araki
- Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, Noda City, Chiba 278-0037, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Awakawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Motomichi Matsuzaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Rihe Cho
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yudai Matsuda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shotaro Hoshino
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Shinohara
- Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, Noda City, Chiba 278-0037, Japan
| | - Masaichi Yamamoto
- Institute of Mitochondrial Science Company, Ltd., Tokyo 176-0025, Japan
| | - Yasutoshi Kido
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Institute of Mitochondrial Science Company, Ltd., Tokyo 176-0025, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
- Research Center for Infectious Disease Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Host-Defense Biochemistry, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kisaburo Nagamune
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ito
- Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, Noda City, Chiba 278-0037, Japan
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kita
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Host-Defense Biochemistry, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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35
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Uka V, Moore GG, Arroyo-Manzanares N, Nebija D, De Saeger S, Diana Di Mavungu J. Secondary Metabolite Dereplication and Phylogenetic Analysis Identify Various Emerging Mycotoxins and Reveal the High Intra-Species Diversity in Aspergillus flavus. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:667. [PMID: 31024476 PMCID: PMC6461017 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is one of the most important mycotoxigenic species from the genus Aspergillus, due to its ability to synthesize the potent hepatocarcinogen, aflatoxin B1. Moreover, this fungus is capable of producing several other toxic metabolites from the class of indole-tetramates, non-ribosomal peptides, and indole-diterpenoids. Populations of A. flavus are characterized by considerable diversity in terms of morphological, functional and genetic features. Although for many years A. flavus was considered an asexual fungus, researchers have shown evidence that at best these fungi can exhibit a predominantly asexual existence. We now know that A. flavus contains functional genes for mating, uncovering sexuality as potential contributor for its diversification. Based on our results, we reconfirm that A. flavus is a predominant producer of B-type aflatoxins. Moreover, this fungus can decisively produce AFM1 and AFM2. We did not observe any clear relationship between mating-type genes and particular class of metabolites, probably other parameters such as sexual/asexual ratio should be investigated. A dynamic secondary metabolism was found also in strains intended to be used as biocontrol agents. In addition we succeeded to provide mass spectrometry fragmentation spectra for the most important classes of A. flavus metabolites, which will serve as identification cards for future studies. Both, metabolic and phylogenetic analysis proved a high intra-species diversity for A. flavus. These findings contribute to our understanding about the diversity of Aspergillus section Flavi species, raising the necessity for polyphasic approaches (morphological, metabolic, genetic, etc.) when dealing with this type of complex group of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdet Uka
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo†
| | - Geromy G Moore
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Natalia Arroyo-Manzanares
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare-Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Dashnor Nebija
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo†
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - José Diana Di Mavungu
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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36
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A unique Zn(II) 2-Cys 6-type protein, KpeA, is involved in secondary metabolism and conidiation in Aspergillus oryzae. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 127:35-44. [PMID: 30790620 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus oryzae is an important microorganism in the bio- and food industries; therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying its secondary metabolism regulation is important for ensuring its safe use. Here, we screened a novel Zn(II)2-Cys6-type protein-encoding gene, AO090003001186, designated as kpeA (kojic acid production enhancement A), from an A. oryzae disruption mutant library of transcriptional regulators. kpeA is highly conserved among filamentous fungi and encodes a protein with Zn(II)2-Cys6 motif located in the middle of the sequence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that KpeA was classified into a distal group compared to other fungal Zn(II)2-Cys6-type transcriptional regulators. A Cys to Ala substitution mutant of KpeA showed identical phenotype to the kpeA disruption strain, confirming that KpeA is novel type Zn(II)2-Cys6 binding protein. Colonies of the kpeA disruption strain (ΔkpeA) had longer aerial hyphae and showed decreased conidia production. Microscopic analysis suggested that the reduced vesicle size and conidial head formation in ΔkpeA strain account for the decreased conidia production. Transcriptional levels of brlA and downstream abaA and wetA were decreased in ΔkpeA strain. Moreover, ΔkpeA strain produced 6-fold more kojic acid than the control strains, and the expression of kojR and kojA was increased in ΔkpeA strain. Therefore, KpeA is a novel Zn(II)2-Cys6-type protein likely involved in conidiation and kojic acid production at the transcriptional level.
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37
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Cary JW, Entwistle S, Satterlee T, Mack BM, Gilbert MK, Chang PK, Scharfenstein L, Yin Y, Calvo AM. The Transcriptional Regulator Hbx1 Affects the Expression of Thousands of Genes in the Aflatoxin-Producing Fungus Aspergillus flavus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:167-178. [PMID: 30425054 PMCID: PMC6325891 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In filamentous fungi, homeobox proteins are conserved transcriptional regulators described to control conidiogenesis and fruiting body formation. Eight homeobox (hbx) genes are found in the genome of the aflatoxin-producing ascomycete, Aspergillus flavus While loss-of-function of seven of the eight genes had little to no effect on fungal growth and development, disruption of hbx1, resulted in aconidial colonies and lack of sclerotial production. Furthermore, the hbx1 mutant was unable to produce aflatoxins B1 and B2, cyclopiazonic acid and aflatrem. In the present study, hbx1 transcriptome analysis revealed that hbx1 has a broad effect on A. flavus gene expression, and the effect of hbx1 increases overtime, impacting more than five thousand protein-coding genes. Among the affected genes, those in the category of secondary metabolism (SM), followed by that of cellular transport, were the most affected. Specifically, regarding the effect of hbx1 on SM, we found that genes in 44 SM gene clusters where upregulated while 49 were downregulated in the absence of hbx1, including genes in the SM clusters responsible for the synthesis of asparasone, piperazine and aflavarin, all known to be associated with sclerotia. In addition, our study revealed that hbx1 affects the expression of other transcription factor genes involved in development, including the conidiation central regulatory pathway and flb genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Cary
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Sarah Entwistle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
| | - Timothy Satterlee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
| | - Brian M Mack
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Matthew K Gilbert
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Perng K Chang
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Leslie Scharfenstein
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Yanbin Yin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
| | - Ana M Calvo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
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38
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Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Tóth L, Pócsi I, Molnár I. Tremorgenic and neurotoxic paspaline-derived indole-diterpenes: biosynthetic diversity, threats and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:1599-1616. [PMID: 30613899 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Indole-diterpenes (IDTs) such as the aflatrems, janthitrems, lolitrems, paspalitrems, penitrems, shearinines, sulpinines, and terpendoles are biogenetically related but structurally varied tremorgenic and neurotoxic mycotoxins produced by fungi. All these metabolites derive from the biosynthetic intermediate paspaline, a frequently occurring IDT on its own right. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the similarities and differences of the IDT biosynthetic pathways that lead to the generation of the main paspaline-derived IDT subgroups. We survey the taxonomic distribution and the regulation of IDT production in various fungi and compare the organization of the known IDT biosynthetic gene clusters. A detailed assessment of the highly diverse biological activities of these mycotoxins leads us to emphasize the significant losses that paspaline-derived IDTs cause in agriculture, and compels us to warn about the various hazards they represent towards human and livestock health. Conversely, we also describe the potential utility of these versatile molecules as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery, and examine the prospects for their industrial scale manufacture in genetically manipulated IDT producers or domesticated host microorganisms in synthetic biological production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Kozák
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - László Tóth
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - István Molnár
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
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39
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Frisvad JC, Møller LLH, Larsen TO, Kumar R, Arnau J. Safety of the fungal workhorses of industrial biotechnology: update on the mycotoxin and secondary metabolite potential of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Trichoderma reesei. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:9481-9515. [PMID: 30293194 PMCID: PMC6208954 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9354-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review presents an update on the current knowledge of the secondary metabolite potential of the major fungal species used in industrial biotechnology, i.e., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Trichoderma reesei. These species have a long history of safe use for enzyme production. Like most microorganisms that exist in a challenging environment in nature, these fungi can produce a large variety and number of secondary metabolites. Many of these compounds present several properties that make them attractive for different industrial and medical applications. A description of all known secondary metabolites produced by these species is presented here. Mycotoxins are a very limited group of secondary metabolites that can be produced by fungi and that pose health hazards in humans and other vertebrates when ingested in small amounts. Some mycotoxins are species-specific. Here, we present scientific basis for (1) the definition of mycotoxins including an update on their toxicity and (2) the clarity on misclassification of species and their mycotoxin potential reported in literature, e.g., A. oryzae has been wrongly reported as an aflatoxin producer, due to misclassification of Aspergillus flavus strains. It is therefore of paramount importance to accurately describe the mycotoxins that can potentially be produced by a fungal species that is to be used as a production organism and to ensure that production strains are not capable of producing mycotoxins during enzyme production. This review is intended as a reference paper for authorities, companies, and researchers dealing with secondary metabolite assessment, risk evaluation for food or feed enzyme production, or considerations on the use of these species as production hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens C Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, B. 221, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Lars L H Møller
- Department of Product Safety, Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880, Bagsvaerd, Denmark
| | - Thomas O Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, B. 221, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ravi Kumar
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Novozymes Inc., 1445 Drew Ave., Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - José Arnau
- Department of Fungal Strain Technology and Strain Approval Support, Novozymes A/S, Krogshoejvej 36, 2880, Bagsvaerd, Denmark
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40
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Pfannenstiel BT, Greco C, Sukowaty AT, Keller NP. The epigenetic reader SntB regulates secondary metabolism, development and global histone modifications in Aspergillus flavus. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 120:9-18. [PMID: 30130575 PMCID: PMC6215504 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Due to the role, both beneficial and harmful, that fungal secondary metabolites play in society, the study of their regulation is of great importance. Genes for any one secondary metabolite are contiguously arranged in a biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) and subject to regulation through the remodeling of chromatin. Histone modifying enzymes can place or remove post translational modifications (PTM) on histone tails which influences how tight or relaxed the chromatin is, impacting transcription of BGCs. In a recent forward genetic screen, the epigenetic reader SntB was identified as a transcriptional regulator of the sterigmatocystin BGC in A. nidulans, and regulated the related metabolite aflatoxin in A. flavus. In this study we investigate the role of SntB in the plant pathogen A. flavus by analyzing both ΔsntB and overexpression sntB genetic mutants. Deletion of sntB increased global levels of H3K9K14 acetylation and impaired several developmental processes including sclerotia formation, heterokaryon compatibility, secondary metabolite synthesis, and ability to colonize host seeds; in contrast the overexpression strain displayed fewer phenotypes. ΔsntB developmental phenotypes were linked with SntB regulation of NosA, a transcription factor regulating the A. flavus cell fusion cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Greco
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Andrew T Sukowaty
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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41
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Li Q, Ding W, Yao Z, Tu J, Wang L, Huang H, Li S, Ju J. AbmV Catalyzes Tandem Ether Installation and Hydroxylation during Neoabyssomicin/Abyssomicin Biosynthesis. Org Lett 2018; 20:4854-4857. [PMID: 30070849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b01997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qinglian Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Wenjuan Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziwei Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiajia Tu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- College of Bio and Marine Sciences, Shenzhen University, 3688 Nanhai Ave, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Hongbo Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Shengying Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266000 China
| | - Jianhua Ju
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou 510301, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
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Zhang X, Wang TT, Xu QL, Xiong Y, Zhang L, Han H, Xu K, Guo WJ, Xu Q, Tan RX, Ge HM. Genome Mining and Comparative Biosynthesis of Meroterpenoids from Two Phylogenetically Distinct Fungi. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:8184-8188. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ting Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qin Lan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Kuang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Wen Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ren Xiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and EfficacyNanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hui Ming Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
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Zhang X, Wang TT, Xu QL, Xiong Y, Zhang L, Han H, Xu K, Guo WJ, Xu Q, Tan RX, Ge HM. Genome Mining and Comparative Biosynthesis of Meroterpenoids from Two Phylogenetically Distinct Fungi. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ting Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qin Lan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Kuang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Wen Jie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ren Xiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and EfficacyNanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Hui Ming Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyInstitute of Functional BiomoleculesSchool of Life SciencesNanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
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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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van Dolleweerd CJ, Kessans SA, Van de Bittner KC, Bustamante LY, Bundela R, Scott B, Nicholson MJ, Parker EJ. MIDAS: A Modular DNA Assembly System for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1018-1029. [PMID: 29620866 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A modular and hierarchical DNA assembly platform for synthetic biology based on Golden Gate (Type IIS restriction enzyme) cloning is described. This enabling technology, termed MIDAS (for Modular Idempotent DNA Assembly System), can be used to precisely assemble multiple DNA fragments in a single reaction using a standardized assembly design. It can be used to build genes from libraries of sequence-verified, reusable parts and to assemble multiple genes in a single vector, with full user control over gene order and orientation, as well as control of the direction of growth (polarity) of the multigene assembly, a feature that allows genes to be nested between other genes or genetic elements. We describe the detailed design and use of MIDAS, exemplified by the reconstruction, in the filamentous fungus Penicillium paxilli, of the metabolic pathway for production of paspaline and paxilline, key intermediates in the biosynthesis of a range of indole diterpenes-a class of secondary metabolites produced by several species of filamentous fungi. MIDAS was used to efficiently assemble a 25.2 kb plasmid from 21 different modules (seven genes, each composed of three basic parts). By using a parts library-based system for construction of complex assemblies, and a unique set of vectors, MIDAS can provide a flexible route to assembling tailored combinations of genes and other genetic elements, thereby supporting synthetic biology applications in a wide range of expression hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J. van Dolleweerd
- Protein Science & Engineering, Callaghan Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Sarah A. Kessans
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Kyle C. Van de Bittner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Leyla Y. Bustamante
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Rudranuj Bundela
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Matthew J. Nicholson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Emily J. Parker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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Aspergillus flavus Secondary Metabolites: More than Just Aflatoxins. Food Saf (Tokyo) 2018; 6:7-32. [PMID: 32231944 DOI: 10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.2017024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is best known for producing the family of potent carcinogenic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins. However, this opportunistic plant and animal pathogen also produces numerous other secondary metabolites, many of which have also been shown to be toxic. While about forty of these secondary metabolites have been identified from A. flavus cultures, analysis of the genome has predicted the existence of at least 56 secondary metabolite gene clusters. Many of these gene clusters are not expressed during growth of the fungus on standard laboratory media. This presents researchers with a major challenge of devising novel strategies to manipulate the fungus and its genome so as to activate secondary metabolite gene expression and allow identification of associated cluster metabolites. In this review, we discuss the genetic, biochemical and bioinformatic methods that are being used to identify previously uncharacterized secondary metabolite gene clusters and their associated metabolites. It is important to identify as many of these compounds as possible to determine their bioactivity with respect to fungal development, survival, virulence and especially with respect to any potential synergistic toxic effects with aflatoxin.
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Bhatnagar D, Rajasekaran K, Gilbert M, Cary J, Magan N. Advances in molecular and genomic research to safeguard food and feed supply from aflatoxin contamination. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2018. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2017.2283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide recognition that aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities by the fungus Aspergillus flavus is a global problem has significantly benefitted from global collaboration for understanding the contaminating fungus, as well as for developing and implementing solutions against the contamination. The effort to address this serious food and feed safety issue has led to a detailed understanding of the taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genomics and evolution of A. flavus, as well as strategies to reduce or control pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination, including (1) biological control, using atoxigenic aspergilli, (2) proteomic and genomic analyses for identifying resistance factors in maize as potential breeding markers to enable development of resistant maize lines, and (3) enhancing host-resistance by bioengineering of susceptible crops, such as cotton, maize, peanut and tree nuts. A post-harvest measure to prevent the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in storage is also an important component for reducing exposure of populations worldwide to aflatoxins in food and feed supplies. The effect of environmental changes on aflatoxin contamination levels has recently become an important aspect for study to anticipate future contamination levels. The ability of A. flavus to produce dozens of secondary metabolites, in addition to aflatoxins, has created a new avenue of research for understanding the role these metabolites play in the survival and biodiversity of this fungus. The understanding of A. flavus, the aflatoxin contamination problem, and control measures to prevent the contamination has become a unique example for an integrated approach to safeguard global food and feed safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Bhatnagar
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - K. Rajasekaran
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - M. Gilbert
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - J.W. Cary
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - N. Magan
- Applied Mycology Group, Cranfield University, MK45 4DT, Cranfield, United Kingdom
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Inactivation of the indole-diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster of Claviceps paspali by Agrobacterium-mediated gene replacement. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:3255-3266. [PMID: 29457197 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8807-x] [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: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hypocrealean fungus Claviceps paspali is a parasite of wild grasses. This fungus is widely utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of ergot alkaloids, but also produces tremorgenic and neurotoxic indole-diterpene (IDT) secondary metabolites such as paspalitrems A and B. IDTs cause significant losses in agriculture and represent health hazards that threaten food security. Conversely, IDTs may also be utilized as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery. Current protoplast-mediated transformation protocols of C. paspali are inadequate as they suffer from inefficiencies in protoplast regeneration, a low frequency of DNA integration, and a low mitotic stability of the nascent transformants. We adapted and optimized Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) for C. paspali and validated this method with the straightforward creation of a mutant strain of this fungus featuring a targeted replacement of key genes in the putative IDT biosynthetic gene cluster. Complete abrogation of IDT production in isolates of the mutant strain proved the predicted involvement of the target genes in the biosynthesis of IDTs. The mutant isolates continued to produce ergot alkaloids undisturbed, indicating that equivalent mutants generated in industrial ergot producers may have a better safety profile as they are devoid of IDT-type mycotoxins. Meanwhile, ATMT optimized for Claviceps spp. may open the door for the facile genetic engineering of these industrially and ecologically important organisms.
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Okoth S, De Boevre M, Vidal A, Diana Di Mavungu J, Landschoot S, Kyallo M, Njuguna J, Harvey J, De Saeger S. Genetic and Toxigenic Variability within Aspergillus flavus Population Isolated from Maize in Two Diverse Environments in Kenya. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:57. [PMID: 29434580 PMCID: PMC5790802 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is the main producer of carcinogenic aflatoxins in agricultural commodities such as maize. This fungus occurs naturally on crops, and produces aflatoxins when environmental conditions are favorable. The aim of this study is to analyse the genetic variability among 109 A. flavus isolates previously recovered from maize sampled from a known aflatoxin-hotspot (Eastern region, Kenya) and the major maize-growing area in the Rift Valley (Kenya), and to determine their toxigenic potential. DNA analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA, partial β-tubulin gene (benA) and calmodulin gene (CaM) sequences were used. The strains were further analyzed for the presence of four aflatoxin-biosynthesis genes in relation to their capability to produce aflatoxins and other metabolites, targeting the regulatory gene aflR and the structural genes aflP, aflD, and aflQ. In addition, the metabolic profile of the fungal strains was unraveled using state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS instrumentation. The three gene-sequence data grouped the isolates into two major clades, A. minisclerotigenes and A. flavus. A. minisclerotigenes was most prevalent in Eastern Kenya, while A. flavus was common in both regions. A. parasiticus was represented by a single isolate collected from Rift Valley. Diversity existed within the A. flavus population, which formed several subclades. An inconsistency in identification of some isolates using the three markers was observed. The calmodulin gene sequences showed wider variation of polymorphisms. The aflatoxin production pattern was not consistent with the presence of aflatoxigenic genes, suggesting an inability of the primers to always detect the genes or presence of genetic mutations. Significant variation was observed in toxin profiles of the isolates. This is the first time that a profound metabolic profiling of A. flavus isolates was done in Kenya. Positive associations were evident for some metabolites, while for others no associations were found and for a few metabolite-pairs negative associations were seen. Additionally, the growth medium influenced the mycotoxin metabolite production. These results confirm the wide variation that exists among the group A. flavus and the need for more insight in clustering the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Okoth
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arnau Vidal
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - José Diana Di Mavungu
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie Landschoot
- Department of Applied Bioscience Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martina Kyallo
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joyce Njuguna
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jagger Harvey
- Feed the Future Innovation Lab, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Bignell E, Cairns TC, Throckmorton K, Nierman WC, Keller NP. Secondary metabolite arsenal of an opportunistic pathogenic fungus. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 371:rstb.2016.0023. [PMID: 28080993 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a versatile fungus able to successfully exploit diverse environments from mammalian lungs to agricultural waste products. Among its many fitness attributes are dozens of genetic loci containing biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) producing bioactive small molecules (often referred to as secondary metabolites or natural products) that provide growth advantages to the fungus dependent on environment. Here we summarize the current knowledge of these BGCs-18 of which can be named to product-their expression profiles in vivo, and which BGCs may enhance virulence of this opportunistic human pathogen. Furthermore, we find extensive evidence for the presence of many of these BGCs, or similar BGCs, in distantly related genera including the emerging pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome in bats, and suggest such BGCs may be predictive of pathogenic potential in other fungi.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Bignell
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, 2.24 Core Technology Facility, Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Timothy C Cairns
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Berlin University of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kurt Throckmorton
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA, .,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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