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Cox RJ. Engineered and total biosynthesis of fungal specialized metabolites. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:61-78. [PMID: 38172201 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi produce a very wide range of complex and often bioactive metabolites, demonstrating their inherent ability as hosts of complex biosynthetic pathways. Recent advances in molecular sciences related to fungi have afforded the development of new tools that allow the rational total biosynthesis of highly complex specialized metabolites in a single process. Increasingly, these pathways can also be engineered to produce new metabolites. Engineering can be at the level of gene deletion, gene addition, formation of mixed pathways, engineering of scaffold synthases and engineering of tailoring enzymes. Combination of these approaches with hosts that can metabolize low-value waste streams opens the prospect of one-step syntheses from garbage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell J Cox
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
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Geistodt-Kiener A, Totozafy JC, Le Goff G, Vergne J, Sakai K, Ouazzani J, Mouille G, Viaud M, O'Connell RJ, Dallery JF. Yeast-based heterologous production of the Colletochlorin family of fungal secondary metabolites. Metab Eng 2023; 80:216-231. [PMID: 37863177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.10.002] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomic studies have revealed that fungal pathogens of plants activate the expression of numerous biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) exclusively when in presence of a living host plant. The identification and structural elucidation of the corresponding secondary metabolites remain challenging. The aim was to develop a polycistronic system for heterologous expression of fungal BGCs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we adapted a polycistronic vector for efficient, seamless and cost-effective cloning of biosynthetic genes using in vivo assembly (also called transformation-assisted recombination) directly in Escherichia coli followed by heterologous expression in S. cerevisiae. Two vectors were generated with different auto-inducible yeast promoters and selection markers. The effectiveness of these vectors was validated with fluorescent proteins. As a proof-of-principle, we applied our approach to the Colletochlorin family of molecules. These polyketide secondary metabolites were known from the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum but had never been linked to their biosynthetic genes. Considering the requirement for a halogenase, and by applying comparative genomics, we identified a BGC putatively involved in the biosynthesis of Colletochlorins in C. higginsianum. Following the expression of those genes in S. cerevisiae, we could identify the presence of the precursor Orsellinic acid, Colletochlorins and their non-chlorinated counterparts, the Colletorins. In conclusion, the polycistronic vectors described herein were adapted for the host S. cerevisiae and allowed to link the Colletochlorin compound family to their corresponding biosynthetic genes. This system will now enable the production and purification of infection-specific secondary metabolites of fungal phytopathogens. More widely, this system could be applied to any fungal BGC of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean Chrisologue Totozafy
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Géraldine Le Goff
- Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles ICSN, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Justine Vergne
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Kaori Sakai
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Jamal Ouazzani
- Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles ICSN, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Grégory Mouille
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Muriel Viaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, 91120, Palaiseau, France
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Yu W, Pei R, Zhou J, Zeng B, Tu Y, He B. Molecular regulation of fungal secondary metabolism. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:204. [PMID: 37209190 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Many bioactive secondary metabolites synthesized by fungi have important applications in many fields, such as agriculture, food, medical and others. The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is a complex process involving a variety of enzymes and transcription factors, which are regulated at different levels. In this review, we describe our current understanding on molecular regulation of fungal secondary metabolite biosynthesis, such as environmental signal regulation, transcriptional regulation and epigenetic regulation. The effects of transcription factors on the secondary metabolites produced by fungi were mainly introduced. It was also discussed that new secondary metabolites could be found in fungi and the production of secondary metabolites could be improved. We also highlight the importance of understanding the molecular regulation mechanisms to activate silent secondary metabolites and uncover their physiological and ecological functions. By comprehensively understanding the regulatory mechanisms involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, we can develop strategies to improve the production of these compounds and maximize their potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Yu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China
| | - Rongqiang Pei
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jingyi Zhou
- Zhanjiang Preschool Education College, Zhanjiang, 524084, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China
- College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yayi Tu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Bin He
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi, China.
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Chiang CY, Ohashi M, Tang Y. Deciphering chemical logic of fungal natural product biosynthesis through heterologous expression and genome mining. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:89-127. [PMID: 36125308 PMCID: PMC9906657 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00050d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2010 to 2022Heterologous expression of natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) has become a widely used tool for genome mining of cryptic pathways, bottom-up investigation of biosynthetic enzymes, and engineered biosynthesis of new natural product variants. In the field of fungal natural products, heterologous expression of a complete pathway was first demonstrated in the biosynthesis of tenellin in Aspergillus oryzae in 2010. Since then, advances in genome sequencing, DNA synthesis, synthetic biology, etc. have led to mining, assignment, and characterization of many fungal BGCs using various heterologous hosts. In this review, we will highlight key examples in the last decade in integrating heterologous expression into genome mining and biosynthetic investigations. The review will cover the choice of heterologous hosts, prioritization of BGCs for structural novelty, and how shunt products from heterologous expression can reveal important insights into the chemical logic of biosynthesis. The review is not meant to be exhaustive but is rather a collection of examples from researchers in the field, including ours, that demonstrates the usefulness and pitfalls of heterologous biosynthesis in fungal natural product discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yu Chiang
- Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 5531 Boelter Hall, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Masao Ohashi
- Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 5531 Boelter Hall, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Yi Tang
- Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 5531 Boelter Hall, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
- Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 5531 Boelter Hall, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Tang GT, Li Y, Zhou Y, Zhu YH, Zheng XJ, Chang XL, Zhang SR, Gong GS. Diversity of Trichoderma species associated with soil in the Zoige alpine wetland of Southwest China. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21709. [PMID: 36522367 PMCID: PMC9755243 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25223-0] [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: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecology of soil fungi is poorly understood, and recent comprehensive reports on Trichoderma are unavailable for any region, including the Zoige alpine wetland ecological region in China. One hundred soil samples were collected from different soil types and soil layers in Zoige alpine wetland ecological regions. Using the traditional suspension plating method, 80 Trichoderma strains were chosen to analyze species diversity. After a preliminary classification of morphological characteristics and the genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), 57 representative strains were selected and eventually identified as seven species via phylogenetic analyses of multilocus sequences based on the genes transcription elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1), encoding RNA polymerase II subunit B (rpb2) and ATP citrate lyase (acl1). Among them, T. harzianum was the dominant species isolated from five soil layers and four soil types, and had the highest isolation frequency (23%) in this zone, while T. polysporum and T. pyramidale were rare species, with isolation frequencies of less than 1%. Our detailed morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of Trichoderma zoigense was described for the first time as a new species, while T. atrobrunneum as a new record for China was found. Our results will be used as a reference for a greater understanding of soil microbial resources, ecological rehabilitation and reconstructions in the Zoige alpine wetland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Ting Tang
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China ,grid.506923.b0000 0004 1808 3190Southeast Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuling, 408099 China
| | - Ying Li
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - You Zhou
- grid.453499.60000 0000 9835 1415Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101 China
| | - Yu-Hang Zhu
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zheng
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Xiao-Li Chang
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Shi-Rong Zhang
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Guo-Shu Gong
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
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Secondary Metabolites from Fungi-In Honor of Prof. Dr. Ji-Kai Liu's 60th Birthday. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121271. [PMID: 36547604 PMCID: PMC9782213 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It is our pleasure and privilege to serve as Guest Editors for this Special Issue of the Journal of Fungi in honor of Professor Ji-Kai Liu's 60th birthday [...].
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Identification of a Bidirectional Promoter from Trichoderma reesei and Its Application in Dual Gene Expression. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101059. [PMID: 36294624 PMCID: PMC9604776 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellulolytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei has a strong capability in protein synthesis and secretion and is increasingly used as a fungal chassis for the production of heterologous proteins or secondary metabolites. However, bidirectional promoters that would significantly facilitate multiple genes’ expression have not been characterized in T. reesei. Herein, we show that a 767-bp intergenic region between two polyketide synthase encoding genes that were involved in the biosynthesis of the typical yellow pigment served as a bidirectional promoter in T. reesei. This region was shown to be able to drive the simultaneous expression of two fluorescence reporter genes when fused to each end. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the driving strength of this bidirectional promoter from each direction reached about half of that of the commonly used promoter PgpdA. Moreover, the co-expression of two cellulase genes driven by this bidirectional promoter enabled T. reesei to produce cellulases on glucose and improved the total cellulase activities with cellulose Avicel as the carbon source. Our work identified the first bidirectional promoter in T. reesei, which would facilitate gene co-expression and find applications in synthetic biology using fungal systems.
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Schalamun M, Schmoll M. Trichoderma - genomes and genomics as treasure troves for research towards biology, biotechnology and agriculture. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:1002161. [PMID: 37746224 PMCID: PMC10512326 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.1002161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The genus Trichoderma is among the best studied groups of filamentous fungi, largely because of its high relevance in applications from agriculture to enzyme biosynthesis to biofuel production. However, the physiological competences of these fungi, that led to these beneficial applications are intriguing also from a scientific and ecological point of view. This review therefore summarizes recent developments in studies of fungal genomes, updates on previously started genome annotation efforts and novel discoveries as well as efforts towards bioprospecting for enzymes and bioactive compounds such as cellulases, enzymes degrading xenobiotics and metabolites with potential pharmaceutical value. Thereby insights are provided into genomes, mitochondrial genomes and genomes of mycoviruses of Trichoderma strains relevant for enzyme production, biocontrol and mycoremediation. In several cases, production of bioactive compounds could be associated with responsible genes or clusters and bioremediation capabilities could be supported or predicted using genome information. Insights into evolution of the genus Trichoderma revealed large scale horizontal gene transfer, predominantly of CAZyme genes, but also secondary metabolite clusters. Investigation of sexual development showed that Trichoderma species are competent of repeat induced point mutation (RIP) and in some cases, segmental aneuploidy was observed. Some random mutants finally gave away their crucial mutations like T. reesei QM9978 and QM9136 and the fertility defect of QM6a was traced back to its gene defect. The Trichoderma core genome was narrowed down to 7000 genes and gene clustering was investigated in the genomes of multiple species. Finally, recent developments in application of CRISPR/Cas9 in Trichoderma, cloning and expression strategies for the workhorse T. reesei as well as the use genome mining tools for bioprospecting Trichoderma are highlighted. The intriguing new findings on evolution, genomics and physiology highlight emerging trends and illustrate worthwhile perspectives in diverse fields of research with Trichoderma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Schalamun
- Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Tulln, Austria
| | - Monika Schmoll
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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