1
|
Garello M, Piombo E, Buonsenso F, Prencipe S, Valente S, Meloni GR, Marcet-Houben M, Gabaldón T, Spadaro D. Several secondary metabolite gene clusters in the genomes of ten Penicillium spp. raise the risk of multiple mycotoxin occurrence in chestnuts. Food Microbiol 2024; 122:104532. [PMID: 38839238 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2024.104532] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Penicillium spp. produce a great variety of secondary metabolites, including several mycotoxins, on food substrates. Chestnuts represent a favorable substrate for Penicillium spp. development. In this study, the genomes of ten Penicillium species, virulent on chestnuts, were sequenced and annotated: P. bialowiezense. P. pancosmium, P. manginii, P. discolor, P. crustosum, P. palitans, P. viridicatum, P. glandicola, P. taurinense and P. terrarumae. Assembly size ranges from 27.5 to 36.8 Mb and the number of encoded genes ranges from 9,867 to 12,520. The total number of predicted biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the ten species is 551. The most represented families of BGCs are non ribosomal peptide synthase (191) and polyketide synthase (175), followed by terpene synthases (87). Genome-wide collections of gene phylogenies (phylomes) were reconstructed for each of the newly sequenced Penicillium species allowing for the prediction of orthologous relationships among our species, as well as other 20 annotated Penicillium species available in the public domain. We investigated in silico the presence of BGCs for 10 secondary metabolites, including 5 mycotoxins, whose production was validated in vivo through chemical analyses. Among the clusters present in this set of species we found andrastin A and its related cluster atlantinone A, mycophenolic acid, patulin, penitrem A and the cluster responsible for the synthesis of roquefortine C/glandicoline A/glandicoline B/meleagrin. We confirmed the presence of these clusters in several of the Penicillium species conforming our dataset and verified their capacity to synthesize them in a chestnut-based medium with chemical analysis. Interestingly, we identified mycotoxin clusters in some species for the first time, such as the andrastin A cluster in P. flavigenum and P. taurinense, and the roquefortine C cluster in P. nalgiovense and P. taurinense. Chestnuts proved to be an optimal substrate for species of Penicillium with different mycotoxigenic potential, opening the door to risks related to the occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in the same food matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Garello
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; AGROINNOVA - Interdepartmental Centre for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Edoardo Piombo
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Almas Allé 5, 75651, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fabio Buonsenso
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; AGROINNOVA - Interdepartmental Centre for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Simona Prencipe
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Silvia Valente
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; AGROINNOVA - Interdepartmental Centre for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Giovanna Roberta Meloni
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; AGROINNOVA - Interdepartmental Centre for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Marina Marcet-Houben
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Davide Spadaro
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy; AGROINNOVA - Interdepartmental Centre for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Grundmann CO, Guzman J, Vilcinskas A, Pupo MT. The insect microbiome is a vast source of bioactive small molecules. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:935-967. [PMID: 38411238 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00054k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering: September 1964 to June 2023Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. Not only classic producers of secondary metabolites such as Streptomyces and other members of the phylum Actinobacteria but also numerous bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an impressive array of fungi (usually pathogenic) serve as the source of a structurally diverse number of small molecules with important biological activities including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiparasitic and specific enzyme inhibitors. The insect niche is often the exclusive provider of microbes producing unique types of biologically active compounds such as gerumycins, pederin, dinactin, and formicamycins. However, numerous insects still have not been described taxonomically, and in most cases, the study of their microbiota is completely unexplored. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of 553 natural products produced by microorganisms isolated from insects by collating and classifying all the data according to the type of compound (rather than the insect or microbial source). The analysis of the correlations among the metadata related to insects, microbial partners, and their produced compounds provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between insects and their symbionts as well as the impact of their metabolites on these relationships. Herein, we focus on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, and biological activities of the most relevant compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Guzman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mônica Tallarico Pupo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aoun AR, Mupparapu N, Nguyen DN, Kim TH, Nguyen CM, Pan Z, Elshahawi SI. Structure-guided Mutagenesis Reveals the Catalytic Residue that Controls the Regiospecificity of C6-Indole Prenyltransferases. ChemCatChem 2023; 15:e202300423. [PMID: 37366495 PMCID: PMC10292028 DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202300423] [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: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Indole is a significant structural moiety and functionalization of the C-H bond in indole-containing molecules expands their chemical space, and modifies their properties and/or activities. Indole prenyltransferases (IPTs) catalyze the direct regiospecific installation of prenyl, C5 carbon units, on indole-derived compounds. IPTs have shown relaxed substrate flexibility enabling them to be used as tools for indole functionalization. However, the mechanism by which certain IPTs target a specific carbon position is not fully understood. Herein, we use structure-guided site-directed mutagenesis, in vitro enzymatic reactions, kinetics and structural-elucidation of analogs to verify the key catalytic residues that control the regiospecificity of all characterized regiospecific C6 IPTs. Our results also demonstrate that substitution of PriB_His312 to Tyr leads to the synthesis of analogs prenylated at different positions than C6. This work contributes to understanding of how certain IPTs can access a challenging position in indole-derived compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed R Aoun
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Nagaraju Mupparapu
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Diem N Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Tae Ho Kim
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Christopher M Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Zhengfeiyue Pan
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| | - Sherif I Elshahawi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, CA 92618
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nicoletti R, Andolfi A, Becchimanzi A, Salvatore MM. Anti-Insect Properties of Penicillium Secondary Metabolites. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1302. [PMID: 37317276 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In connection with their widespread occurrence in diverse environments and ecosystems, fungi in the genus Penicillium are commonly found in association with insects. In addition to some cases possibly implying a mutualistic relationship, this symbiotic interaction has mainly been investigated to verify the entomopathogenic potential in light of its possible exploitation in ecofriendly strategies for pest control. This perspective relies on the assumption that entomopathogenicity is often mediated by fungal products and that Penicillium species are renowned producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Indeed, a remarkable number of new compounds have been identified and characterized from these fungi in past decades, the properties and possible applications of which in insect pest management are reviewed in this paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Nicoletti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Center for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Anna Andolfi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Andrea Becchimanzi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Salvatore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, 80055 Portici, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Walsh CT. Tailoring enzyme strategies and functional groups in biosynthetic pathways. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:326-386. [PMID: 36268810 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00048b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2000 to 2022Secondary metabolites are assembled by drawing off and committing some of the flux of primary metabolic building blocks to sets of enzymes that tailor the maturing scaffold to increase architectural and framework complexity, often balancing hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. In this review we examine the small number of chemical strategies that tailoring enzymes employ in maturation of scaffolds. These strategies depend both on the organic functional groups present at each metabolic stage and one of two tailoring enzyme strategies. Nonoxidative tailoring enzymes typically transfer electrophilic fragments, acyl, alkyl and glycosyl groups, from a small set of thermodynamically activated but kinetically stable core metabolites. Oxidative tailoring enzymes can be oxygen-independent or oxygen-dependent. The oxygen independent oxidoreductases are often reversible nicotinamide-utilizing redox catalysts, flipping the nucleophilicity and electrophilicity of functional groups in pathway intermediates. O2-dependent oxygenases, both mono- and dioxygenases, act by orthogonal, one electron strategies, generating carbon radical species. At sp3 substrate carbons, product alcohols may then behave as nucleophiles for subsequent waves of enzymatic tailoring. At sp2 carbons in olefins, electrophilic epoxides have opposite reactivity and often function as "disappearing groups", opened by intramolecular nucleophiles during metabolite maturation. "Thwarted" oxygenases generate radical intermediates that rearrange internally and are not captured oxygenatively.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bundela R, Cameron RC, Singh AJ, McLellan RM, Richardson AT, Berry D, Nicholson MJ, Parker EJ. Generation of Alternate Indole Diterpene Architectures in Two Species of Aspergilli. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:2754-2758. [PMID: 36710518 PMCID: PMC9913125 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The significant structural diversity and potent bioactivity of the fungal indole diterpenes (IDTs) has attracted considerable interest in their biosynthesis. Although substantial skeletal diversity is generated by the action of noncanonical terpene cyclases, comparatively little is known about these enzymes, particularly those involved in the generation of the subgroup containing emindole SA and DA, which show alternate terpenoid skeletons. Here, we describe the IDT biosynthetic machinery generating these unusual IDT architectures from Aspergillus striatus and Aspergillus desertorum. The function of four putative cyclases was interrogated via heterologous expression. Two specific cyclases were identified that catalyze the formation of epimers emindole SA and DA from A. striatus and A. desertorum, respectively. These cyclases are both clustered along with all the elements required for basic IDT biosynthesis yet catalyze an unusual Markovnikov-like cyclization cascade with alternate stereochemical control. Their identification reveals that these alternate architectures are not generated by mechanistically sloppy or promiscuous enzymes, but by cyclases capable of delivering precise regio- and stereospecificities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rudranuj Bundela
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Rosannah C. Cameron
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - A. Jonathan Singh
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Rose M. McLellan
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Alistair T. Richardson
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Matthew J. Nicholson
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Emily J. Parker
- Ferrier
Research Institute, Victoria University
of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
- Maurice
Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The Biosynthesis Related Enzyme, Structure Diversity and Bioactivity Abundance of Indole-Diterpenes: A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27206870. [PMID: 36296463 PMCID: PMC9611320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27206870] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole diterpenes are a large class of secondary metabolites produced by fungi, possessing a cyclic diterpenoid backbone and an indole moiety. Novel structures and important biological activity have made indole diterpenes one of the focuses of synthetic chemists. Although the discovery, identification, structural diversity, biological activity and especially structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes have been reported in some papers in recent years, they are absent of a systematic and comprehensive analysis, and there is no elucidation of enzymes related to this kind of natural product. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the relevant reports to provide new perspectives for the following research. In this review, for the first time, the function of related synthases and the structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes are expounded, and the recent research advances of them are emphasized.
Collapse
|
9
|
Miller TA, Hudson DA, Johnson RD, Singh JS, Mace WJ, Forester NT, Maclean PH, Voisey CR, Johnson LJ. Dissection of the epoxyjanthitrem pathway in Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 by CRISPR gene editing. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:944234. [PMID: 37746172 PMCID: PMC10512260 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.944234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae var. lolii and Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 are filamentous fungal endophytes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) that have a substantial impact on New Zealand's agricultural economy by conferring biotic advantages to the host grass. Overall, Epichloë endophytes contribute NZ$200 million to the economy annually, with strain AR37 estimated to contribute NZ$3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy over a 20-year period. This strain produces secondary metabolites, including epoxyjanthitrems, which are a class of indole diterpenes, associated with the observed effects of AR37 on livestock and insect pests. Until very recently, AR37 was intractable to genetic modification but this has changed with the application of CRISPR-Cas9 based gene editing techniques. In this paper, gene inactivation by CRISPR-Cas9 was used to deconvolute the genetic basis for epoxyjanthitrem biosynthesis, including creating an AR37 strain that has been edited to remove the biosynthesis of all indole diterpenes. We show that gene editing of Epichloë can be achieved without off-target events or introduction of foreign DNA (footprint-less) through an AMA1-based plasmid that simultaneously expresses the CRISPR-Cas9 system and selectable marker. Genetic modification events in these transformants were investigated through genome sequencing and in planta chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Linda J. Johnson
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Schatz DJ, Kuenstner EJ, George DT, Pronin SV. Synthesis of rearranged indole diterpenes of the paxilline type. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:946-968. [PMID: 34931646 PMCID: PMC10122275 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00062d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2021Rearranged indole diterpenes of the paxilline type comprise a large group of fungal metabolites that possess diverse structural features and potentially useful biological effects. The unique indoloterpenoid motif, which is common to all congeners, was first confirmed by crystallographic studies of paxilline. This family of natural products has fascinated organic chemists for the past four decades and has inspired numerous syntheses and synthetic approaches. The present review highlights efforts that have laid the foundation and introduced new directions to this field of natural product synthesis. The introduction includes a summary of biosynthetic considerations and biological activities, the main body of the manuscript provides a detailed discussion of selected syntheses, and the review concludes with a brief outlook on the future of the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devon J Schatz
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697-2025, USA.
| | - Eric J Kuenstner
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697-2025, USA.
| | - David T George
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697-2025, USA.
| | - Sergey V Pronin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697-2025, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
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.
Collapse
|
13
|
Valente S, Piombo E, Schroeckh V, Meloni GR, Heinekamp T, Brakhage AA, Spadaro D. CRISPR-Cas9-Based Discovery of the Verrucosidin Biosynthesis Gene Cluster in Penicillium polonicum. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:660871. [PMID: 34093475 PMCID: PMC8176439 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.660871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Penicillium polonicum, commonly found on food matrices, is a mycotoxigenic species able to produce a neurotoxin called verrucosidin. This methylated α-pyrone polyketide inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and thereby causes neurological diseases. Despite the importance of verrucosidin as a toxin, its biosynthetic genes have not been characterized yet. By similarity analysis with the polyketide synthase (PKS) genes for the α-pyrones aurovertin (AurA) and citreoviridin (CtvA), 16 PKS genes for putative α-pyrones were identified in the P. polonicum genome. A single PKS gene, verA, was found to be transcribed under verrucosidin-producing growth conditions. The annotated functions of the genes neighboring verA correspond to those required for verrucosidin biosynthesis. To prove the involvement of verA in verrucosidin biosynthesis, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats (CRISPR) technology was applied to P. polonicum. In vitro reconstituted CRISPR-Cas9 was used to induce targeted gene deletions in P. polonicum. This approach allowed identifying and characterizing the verrucosidin biosynthetic gene cluster. VerA deletion mutants were no longer able to produce verrucosidin, whereas they were displaying morphological characteristics comparable with the wild-type strain. The available CRISPR-Cas9 technology allows characterizing the biosynthetic potential of P. polonicum as a valuable source of novel compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Valente
- AGROINNOVA - Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, Grugliasco, Italy.,Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Edoardo Piombo
- AGROINNOVA - Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, Grugliasco, Italy.,Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Volker Schroeckh
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Giovanna Roberta Meloni
- AGROINNOVA - Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, Grugliasco, Italy.,Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Thorsten Heinekamp
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Davide Spadaro
- AGROINNOVA - Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, Grugliasco, Italy.,Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
|
18
|
Tanifuji R, Minami A, Oguri H, Oikawa H. Total synthesis of alkaloids using both chemical and biochemical methods. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:1098-1121. [DOI: 10.1039/c9np00073a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A chemoenzymatic approach to synthesize structurally complex natural alkaloids (tetrahydroisoquinoline antibiotics, indole diterpenes, and monoterpene indole alkaloids) has been reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Tanifuji
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- Koganei
- Japan
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Division of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo
- Japan
| | - Hiroki Oguri
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- Koganei
- Japan
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Division of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo
- Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ludlow EJ, Vassiliadis S, Ekanayake PN, Hettiarachchige IK, Reddy P, Sawbridge TI, Rochfort SJ, Spangenberg GC, Guthridge KM. Analysis of the Indole Diterpene Gene Cluster for Biosynthesis of the Epoxy-Janthitrems in Epichloë Endophytes. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7110560. [PMID: 31766147 PMCID: PMC6921081 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epoxy-janthitrems are a class of indole diterpenes with structural similarity to lolitrem B. Two taxa of asexual Epichloë endophytes have been reported to produce epoxy-janthitrems, LpTG-3 (Lolium perenne Taxonomic Group 3; e.g., NEA12) and LpTG-4 (e.g., E1). Epichloë epoxy-janthitrems are not well understood, the biosynthetic pathway and associated gene complement have not been described and while the literature suggests they are associated with superior protection against pasture insect pests and are tremorgenic in grazing mammals, these properties have not been confirmed using isolated and purified compounds. Whole genome sequence analysis was used to identify candidate genes for epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis that are unique to epoxy-janthitrem producing strains of Epichloë. A gene, jtmD, was identified with homology to aromatic prenyl transferases involved in synthesis of indole diterpenes. The location of the epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis gene cluster (JTM locus) was determined in the assembled nuclear genomes of NEA12 and E1. The JTM locus contains cluster 1 and cluster 2 of the lolitrem B biosynthesis gene cluster (LTM locus), as well as four genes jtmD, jtmO, jtm01, and jtm02 that are unique to Epichloë spp. that produce epoxy-janthitrems. Expression of each of the genes identified was confirmed using transcriptome analysis of perennial ryegrass-NEA12 and perennial ryegrass-E1 symbiota. Sequence analysis confirmed the genes are functionally similar to those involved in biosynthesis of related indole diterpene compounds. RNAi silencing of jtmD and in planta assessment in host-endophyte associations confirms the role of jtmD in epoxy-janthitrem production. Using LCMS/MS technologies, a biosynthetic pathway for the production of epoxy-janthitrems I-IV in Epichloë endophytes is proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Ludlow
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Simone Vassiliadis
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Piyumi N. Ekanayake
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Inoka K. Hettiarachchige
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Priyanka Reddy
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Tim I. Sawbridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Simone J. Rochfort
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Kathryn M. Guthridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Heine D, Holmes NA, Worsley SF, Santos ACA, Innocent TM, Scherlach K, Patrick EH, Yu DW, Murrell JC, Vieria PC, Boomsma JJ, Hertweck C, Hutchings MI, Wilkinson B. Chemical warfare between leafcutter ant symbionts and a co-evolved pathogen. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2208. [PMID: 29880868 PMCID: PMC5992151 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acromyrmex leafcutter ants form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus and with Pseudonocardia bacteria. Both are vertically transmitted and actively maintained by the ants. The fungus garden is manured with freshly cut leaves and provides the sole food for the ant larvae, while Pseudonocardia cultures are reared on the ant-cuticle and make antifungal metabolites to help protect the cultivar against disease. If left unchecked, specialized parasitic Escovopsis fungi can overrun the fungus garden and lead to colony collapse. We report that Escovopsis upregulates the production of two specialized metabolites when it infects the cultivar. These compounds inhibit Pseudonocardia and one, shearinine D, also reduces worker behavioral defenses and is ultimately lethal when it accumulates in ant tissues. Our results are consistent with an active evolutionary arms race between Pseudonocardia and Escovopsis, which modifies both bacterial and behavioral defenses such that colony collapse is unavoidable once Escovopsis infections escalate. Acromyrmex ants cultivate fungus gardens that can be parasitized by Escovopsis sp., leading to colony collapse. Here, Heine et al. identify two secondary metabolites produced by Escovopsis that accumulate in Acromyrmex tissue, reduce behavioural defenses and suppress symbiotic Pseudonocardia bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Heine
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Neil A Holmes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Sarah F Worsley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Ana Carolina A Santos
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Departmento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz KM 235, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Tabitha M Innocent
- Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Elaine H Patrick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - J Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Paulo C Vieria
- Departmento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz KM 235, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacobus J Boomsma
- Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew I Hutchings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - Barrie Wilkinson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
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.
Collapse
|
24
|
[Dedicated to Prof. T. Okada and Prof. T. Nishioka: data science in chemistry]Classification of Alkaloid Compounds Based on Subring Skeleton (SRS) Profiling: On Finding Relationship of Compounds with Metabolic Pathways. JOURNAL OF COMPUTER AIDED CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.2751/jcac.18.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
25
|
Liu C, Minami A, Dairi T, Gomi K, Scott B, Oikawa H. Biosynthesis of Shearinine: Diversification of a Tandem Prenyl Moiety of Fungal Indole Diterpenes. Org Lett 2016; 18:5026-5029. [PMID: 27632559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b02482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The late-stage biosynthetic pathway of the indole diterpene shearinine involving four enzymatic reactions (JanQDOJ) was elucidated by an efficient heterologous expression system using Aspergillus oryzae. Key oxidative cyclization, forming a characteristic A/B bicyclic shearinine core by flavoprotein oxidase, was studied using a substrate analogue and a buffer containing H218O. These experimental data provided evidence that JanO catalyzes two-step oxidation via a hydroxylated product and that the JanO reaction involves the hydride-transfer mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengwei Liu
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Tohru Dairi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Katsuya Gomi
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University , Sendai 981-8555, Japan
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University , Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Covering: up to September 2015. Meroterpenoids are hybrid natural products that partially originate from the terpenoid pathway. The meroterpenoids derived from fungi display quite diverse structures, with a wide range of biological properties. This review summarizes the molecular bases for their biosyntheses, which were recently elucidated with modern techniques, and also discusses the plausible biosynthetic pathways of other related natural products lacking genetic information. (Complementary to the coverage of literature by Geris and Simpson in Nat. Prod. Rep., 2009, 26, 1063-1094.).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Matsuda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Billingsley JM, DeNicola AB, Tang Y. Technology development for natural product biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 42:74-83. [PMID: 26994377 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The explosion of genomic sequence data and the significant advancements in synthetic biology have led to the development of new technologies for natural products discovery and production. Using powerful genetic tools, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been engineered as a production host for natural product pathways from bacterial, fungal, and plant species. With an expanding library of characterized genetic parts, biosynthetic pathways can be refactored for optimized expression in yeast. New engineering strategies have enabled the increased production of valuable secondary metabolites by tuning metabolic pathways. Improvements in high-throughput screening methods have facilitated the rapid identification of variants with improved biosynthetic capabilities. In this review, we focus on the molecular tools and engineering strategies that have recently empowered heterologous natural product biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John M Billingsley
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Anthony B DeNicola
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Philippe G. Lolitrem B and Indole Diterpene Alkaloids Produced by Endophytic Fungi of the Genus Epichloë and Their Toxic Effects in Livestock. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:47. [PMID: 26891327 PMCID: PMC4773800 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Different group of alkaloids are produced during the symbiotic development of fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë in grass. The structure and toxicity of the compounds vary considerably in mammalian herbivores and in crop pests. Alkaloids of the indole-diterpene group, of which lolitrem B is the most toxic, were first characterized in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass, and are responsible for “ryegrass staggers.” Ergot alkaloids, of which ergovaline is the most abundant ergopeptide alkaloid produced, are also found in ryegrass, but generally at a lower rate than lolitrem B. Other alkaloids such as lolines and peramine are toxic for crop pests but have weak toxicological properties in mammals. The purpose of this review is to present indole-diterpene alkaloids produced in endophyte infected ryegrass from the first characterization of ryegrass staggers to the determination of the toxicokinetics of lolitrem B and of their mechanism of action in mammals, focusing on the different factors that could explain the worldwide distribution of the disease. Other indole diterpene alkaloids than lolitrem B that can be found in Epichloë infected ryegrass, and their tremorgenic properties, are presented in the last section of this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guerre Philippe
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UR Mycotoxicologie, F-31076 Toulouse, France.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Donzelli B, Krasnoff S. Molecular Genetics of Secondary Chemistry in Metarhizium Fungi. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI 2016; 94:365-436. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|