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Wieder C, Künzer M, Wiechert R, Seipp K, Andresen K, Stark P, Schüffler A, Opatz T, Thines E. Biosynthesis of the Antifungal Polyhydroxy-Polyketide Acrophialocinol. Org Lett 2025; 27:1036-1041. [PMID: 39842789 PMCID: PMC11791885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c04656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2024] [Revised: 12/24/2024] [Accepted: 12/27/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2025]
Abstract
Bioactivity-guided isolation identified the main antifungal compounds produced by Acrophialophora levis as the new polyhydroxy-polyketides acrophialocinol (1) and acrophialocin (2). Their biosynthesis was elucidated by heterologous reconstitution in Aspergillus oryzae and involves an α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase-catalyzed α-hydroxylation, resulting in the formation of a tertiary alcohol that is indispensable for antifungal activity. Furthermore, self-resistance toward the polyhydroxy-polyketides is mediated by a conserved RTA1-like protein encoded in the acr biosynthetic gene cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Wieder
- Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institut
für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH, Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Moritz Künzer
- Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rainer Wiechert
- Department
of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Duesbergweg 10-14, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Kevin Seipp
- Department
of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Duesbergweg 10-14, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Karsten Andresen
- Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Stark
- Institut
für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH, Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Anja Schüffler
- Institut
für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH, Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Department
of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Duesbergweg 10-14, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Eckhard Thines
- Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institut
für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung gGmbH, Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Huesch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
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2
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Platz L, Löhr NA, Girkens MP, Eisen F, Braun K, Fessner N, Bär C, Hüttel W, Hoffmeister D, Müller M. Regioselective Oxidative Phenol Coupling by a Mushroom Unspecific Peroxygenase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202407425. [PMID: 38963262 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Bioactive dimeric (pre-)anthraquinones are ubiquitous in nature and are found in bacteria, fungi, insects, and plants. Their biosynthesis via oxidative phenol coupling (OPC) is catalyzed by cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases, or laccases. While the biocatalysis of OPC in molds (Ascomycota) is well-known, the respective enzymes in mushroom-forming fungi (Basidiomycota) are unknown. Here, we report on the biosynthesis of the atropisomers phlegmacin A1 and B1 of the mushroom Cortinarius odorifer. The biosynthesis of these unsymmetrically 7,10'-homo-coupled dihydroanthracenones was heterologously reconstituted in the mold Aspergillus niger. Methylation of the parental monomer atrochrysone to its 6-O-methyl ether torosachrysone by the O-methyltransferase CoOMT1 precedes the regioselective homocoupling to phlegmacin, catalyzed by the enzyme CoUPO1 annotated as an "unspecific peroxygenase" (UPO). Our results reveal an unprecedented UPO reaction, thereby expanding the biocatalytic portfolio of oxidative phenol coupling beyond the commonly reported enzymes. The results show that Basidiomycota use peroxygenases to selectively couple aryls independently of and convergently to any other group of organisms, emphasizing the central role of OPC in natural processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Platz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nikolai A Löhr
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll- Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Max P Girkens
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Frederic Eisen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Braun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nico Fessner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Bär
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll- Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hüttel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll- Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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Erdmann EA, Brandhorst AKM, Gorbushina AA, Schumacher J. The Tet-on system for controllable gene expression in the rock-inhabiting black fungus Knufia petricola. Extremophiles 2024; 28:38. [PMID: 39105933 PMCID: PMC11303440 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-024-01354-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Knufia petricola is a black fungus that colonizes sun-exposed surfaces as extreme and oligotrophic environments. As ecologically important heterotrophs and biofilm-formers on human-made surfaces, black fungi form one of the most resistant groups of biodeteriorating organisms. Due to its moderate growth rate in axenic culture and available protocols for its transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, K. petricola is used for studying the morpho-physiological adaptations shared by extremophilic and extremotolerant black fungi. In this study, the bacteria-derived tetracycline (TET)-dependent promoter (Tet-on) system was implemented to enable controllable gene expression in K. petricola. The functionality i.e., the dose-dependent inducibility of TET-regulated constructs was investigated by using GFP fluorescence, pigment synthesis (melanin and carotenoids) and restored uracil prototrophy as reporters. The newly generated cloning vectors containing the Tet-on construct, and the validated sites in the K. petricola genome for color-selectable or neutral insertion of expression constructs complete the reverse genetics toolbox. One or multiple genes can be expressed on demand from different genomic loci or from a single construct by using 2A self-cleaving peptides, e.g., for localizing proteins and protein complexes in the K. petricola cell or for using K. petricola as host for the expression of heterologous genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen A Erdmann
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia K M Brandhorst
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna A Gorbushina
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Schumacher
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany.
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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4
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Theobald S, Vesth TC, Geib E, Nybo JL, Frisvad JC, Larsen TO, Kuo A, LaButti K, Lyhne EK, Kjærbølling I, Ledsgaard L, Barry K, Clum A, Chen C, Nolan M, Sandor L, Lipzen A, Mondo S, Pangilinan J, Salamov A, Riley R, Wiebenga A, Müller A, Kun RS, dos Santos Gomes AC, Henrissat B, Magnuson JK, Simmons BA, Mäkelä MR, Mortensen UH, Grigoriev IV, Brock M, Baker SE, de Vries RP, Andersen MR. Genomic Analysis of Aspergillus Section Terrei Reveals a High Potential in Secondary Metabolite Production and Plant Biomass Degradation. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:507. [PMID: 39057392 PMCID: PMC11278011 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070507] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus has attracted interest due to its application in industrial biotechnology, particularly for the production of itaconic acid and bioactive secondary metabolites. As related species also seem to possess a prosperous secondary metabolism, they are of high interest for genome mining and exploitation. Here, we present draft genome sequences for six species from Aspergillus section Terrei and one species from Aspergillus section Nidulantes. Whole-genome phylogeny confirmed that section Terrei is monophyletic. Genome analyses identified between 70 and 108 key secondary metabolism genes in each of the genomes of section Terrei, the highest rate found in the genus Aspergillus so far. The respective enzymes fall into 167 distinct families with most of them corresponding to potentially unique compounds or compound families. Moreover, 53% of the families were only found in a single species, which supports the suitability of species from section Terrei for further genome mining. Intriguingly, this analysis, combined with heterologous gene expression and metabolite identification, suggested that species from section Terrei use a strategy for UV protection different to other species from the genus Aspergillus. Section Terrei contains a complete plant polysaccharide degrading potential and an even higher cellulolytic potential than other Aspergilli, possibly facilitating additional applications for these species in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Theobald
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Tammi C. Vesth
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Elena Geib
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (E.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Jane L. Nybo
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Jens C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Thomas O. Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Alan Kuo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Kurt LaButti
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Ellen K. Lyhne
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Inge Kjærbølling
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Line Ledsgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Kerrie Barry
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Alicia Clum
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Cindy Chen
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Matt Nolan
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Laura Sandor
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Anna Lipzen
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Stephen Mondo
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Jasmyn Pangilinan
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Asaf Salamov
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Robert Riley
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
| | - Ad Wiebenga
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (A.M.); (R.S.K.); (A.C.d.S.G.)
| | - Astrid Müller
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (A.M.); (R.S.K.); (A.C.d.S.G.)
| | - Roland S. Kun
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (A.M.); (R.S.K.); (A.C.d.S.G.)
| | - Ana Carolina dos Santos Gomes
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (A.M.); (R.S.K.); (A.C.d.S.G.)
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jon K. Magnuson
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (J.K.M.); (B.A.S.)
- US Department of Energy Joint Bioenergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Blake A. Simmons
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (J.K.M.); (B.A.S.)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Miia R. Mäkelä
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Uffe H. Mortensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
| | - Igor V. Grigoriev
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (A.K.); (K.L.); (K.B.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (M.N.); (L.S.); (A.L.); (S.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.); (R.R.); (I.V.G.)
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Matthias Brock
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (E.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Scott E. Baker
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (J.K.M.); (B.A.S.)
- US Department of Energy Joint Bioenergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Ronald P. de Vries
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (A.M.); (R.S.K.); (A.C.d.S.G.)
| | - Mikael R. Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; (S.T.); (T.C.V.); (J.L.N.); (J.C.F.); (T.O.L.); (E.K.L.); (I.K.); (L.L.); (B.H.); (U.H.M.)
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5
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Tiwari P, Park KI. Advanced Fungal Biotechnologies in Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): What Do We Know and What Comes Next? J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:506. [PMID: 39057391 PMCID: PMC11278089 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070506] [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: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The present era has witnessed an unprecedented scenario with extreme climate changes, depleting natural resources and rising global food demands and its widespread societal impact. From providing bio-based resources to fulfilling socio-economic necessities, tackling environmental challenges, and ecosystem restoration, microbes exist as integral members of the ecosystem and influence human lives. Microbes demonstrate remarkable potential to adapt and thrive in climatic variations and extreme niches and promote environmental sustainability. It is important to mention that advances in fungal biotechnologies have opened new avenues and significantly contributed to improving human lives through addressing socio-economic challenges. Microbe-based sustainable innovations would likely contribute to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) by providing affordable energy (use of agro-industrial waste by microbial conversions), reducing economic burdens/affordable living conditions (new opportunities by the creation of bio-based industries for a sustainable living), tackling climatic changes (use of sustainable alternative fuels for reducing carbon footprints), conserving marine life (production of microbe-based bioplastics for safer marine life) and poverty reduction (microbial products), among other microbe-mediated approaches. The article highlights the emerging trends and future directions into how fungal biotechnologies can provide feasible and sustainable solutions to achieve SDGs and address global issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Tiwari
- Department of Horticulture & Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea;
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6
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Cleere MM, Novodvorska M, Geib E, Whittaker J, Dalton H, Salih N, Hewitt S, Kokolski M, Brock M, Dyer PS. New colours for old in the blue-cheese fungus Penicillium roqueforti. NPJ Sci Food 2024; 8:3. [PMID: 38191473 PMCID: PMC10774375 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-023-00244-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Penicillium roqueforti is used worldwide in the production of blue-veined cheese. The blue-green colour derives from pigmented spores formed by fungal growth. Using a combination of bioinformatics, targeted gene deletions, and heterologous gene expression we discovered that pigment formation was due to a DHN-melanin biosynthesis pathway. Systematic deletion of pathway genes altered the arising spore colour, yielding white to yellow-green to red-pink-brown phenotypes, demonstrating the potential to generate new coloured strains. There was no consistent impact on mycophenolic acid production as a result of pathway interruption although levels of roquefortine C were altered in some deletants. Importantly, levels of methyl-ketones associated with blue-cheese flavour were not impacted. UV-induced colour mutants, allowed in food production, were then generated. A range of colours were obtained and certain phenotypes were successfully mapped to pathway gene mutations. Selected colour mutants were subsequently used in cheese production and generated expected new colourations with no elevated mycotoxins, offering the exciting prospect of use in future cheese manufacture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Cleere
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center; Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY10031, USA
| | - Michaela Novodvorska
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Geib
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Whittaker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Dalton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Nadhira Salih
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, College of Education, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Sarah Hewitt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Kokolski
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Brock
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul S Dyer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
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7
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Stroe MC, Gao J, Pitz M, Fischer R. Complexity of fungal polyketide biosynthesis and function. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:18-25. [PMID: 37961029 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Where does one draw the line between primary and secondary metabolism? The answer depends on the perspective. Microbial secondary metabolites (SMs) were at first believed not to be very important for the producers because they are dispensable for growth under laboratory conditions. However, such compounds become important in natural niches of the organisms, and some are of prime importance for humanity. Polyketides are an important group of SMs with aflatoxin as a well-known and well-characterized example. In Aspergillus spp., all 34 afl genes encoding the enzymes for aflatoxin biosynthesis are located in close vicinity on chromosome III in a so-called gene cluster. This led to the assumption that most genes required for polyketide biosynthesis are organized in gene clusters. Recent research, however, revealed an enormous complexity of the biosynthesis of different polyketides, ranging from individual polyketide synthases to a gene cluster producing several compounds, or to several clusters with additional genes scattered in the genome for the production of one compound. Research of the last decade furthermore revealed a huge potential for SM biosynthesis hidden in fungal genomes, and methods were developed to wake up such sleeping genes. The analysis of organismic interactions starts to reveal some of the ecological functions of polyketides for the producing fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Stroe
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jia Gao
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Michael Pitz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
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8
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Schäfer E, Seibold PS, Bartram S, Trottmann F, Haensch VG, Gressler M, Chadeayne AR, Hertweck C, O'Connor SE, Hoffmeister D. A "Magic Mushroom" Multi-Product Sesquiterpene Synthase. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300511. [PMID: 37614035 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300511] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Psilocybe "magic mushrooms" are chemically well understood for their psychotropic tryptamines. However, the diversity of their other specialized metabolites, in particular terpenoids, has largely remained an open question. Yet, knowledge on the natural product background is critical to understand if other compounds modulate the psychotropic pharmacological effects. CubA, the single clade II sesquiterpene synthase of P. cubensis, was heterologously produced in Escherichia coli and characterized in vitro, complemented by in vivo product formation assays in Aspergillus niger as a heterologous host. Extensive GC-MS analyses proved a function as multi-product synthase and, depending on the reaction conditions, cubebol, β-copaene, δ-cadinene, and germacrene D were detected as the major products of CubA. In addition, mature P. cubensis carpophores were analysed chromatographically which led to the detection of β-copaene and δ-cadinene. Enzymes closely related to CubA are encoded in the genomes of various Psilocybe species. Therefore, our results provide insight into the metabolic capacity of the entire genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Schäfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Paula S Seibold
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Bartram
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department Natural Product Biosynthesis, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Felix Trottmann
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Veit G Haensch
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Christian Hertweck
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Department Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah E O'Connor
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department Natural Product Biosynthesis, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Winzerlaer Str. 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany
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9
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Hatinguais R, Leaves I, Brown GD, Brown AJP, Brock M, Peres da Silva R. CRISPR-based tools for targeted genetic manipulation in pathogenic Sporothrix species. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0507822. [PMID: 37707447 PMCID: PMC10581184 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05078-22] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emerging fungal pathogen frequently associated with zoonotic transmission of sporotrichosis by contaminated cats. Within 25 years, the disease has spread not only throughout Brazil but now to neighboring countries in Latin America. Thermo-dimorphism, melanin, glycans, adhesins, and secreted vesicles have been associated with the ability of Sporothrix species to cause disease in the mammalian host. Although certain virulence factors have been proposed as potential determinants for sporotrichosis, the scarcity of molecular tools for performing reverse genetics in Sporothrix has significantly impeded the dissection of mechanisms underlying the disease. Here, we demonstrate that PEG-mediated protoplast transformation is a powerful method for heterologous gene expression in S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii, and S. chilensis. Combined with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, this transformation protocol enabled the deletion of the putative DHN-melanin synthase gene pks1, which is a proposed virulence factor of Sporothrix species. To improve in locus integration of deletion constructs, we deleted the KU80 homolog that is critical for non-homologous end-joining DNA repair. The use of Δku80 strains from S. brasiliensis enhanced homologous-directed repair during transformation resulting in increased targeted gene deletion in combination with CRISPR/Cas9. In conclusion, our CRISPR/Cas9-based transformation protocol provides an efficient tool for targeted gene manipulation in Sporothrix species. IMPORTANCE Sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis is a disease that requires long periods of treatment and is rapidly spreading across Latin America. The virulence of this fungus and the surge of atypical and more severe presentations of the disease raise the need for an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sporotrichosis, as well as the development of better diagnostics and antifungal therapies. By developing molecular tools for accurate genetic manipulation in Sporothrix, this study addresses the paucity of reliable and reproducible tools for stable genetic engineering of Sporothrix species, which has represented a major obstacle for studying the virulence determinants and their roles in the establishment of sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Hatinguais
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Leaves
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair J. P. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Peres da Silva
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Löhr NA, Rakhmanov M, Wurlitzer JM, Lackner G, Gressler M, Hoffmeister D. Basidiomycete non-reducing polyketide synthases function independently of SAT domains. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2023; 10:17. [PMID: 37542286 PMCID: PMC10401856 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-reducing polyketide synthases (NR-PKSs) account for a major share of natural product diversity produced by both Asco- and Basidiomycota. The present evolutionary diversification into eleven clades further underscores the relevance of these multi-domain enzymes. Following current knowledge, NR-PKSs initiate polyketide assembly by an N-terminal starter unit:acyl transferase (SAT) domain that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl starter from the acetyl-CoA thioester onto the acyl carrier protein (ACP). RESULTS A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of NR-PKSs established a twelfth clade from which three representatives, enzymes CrPKS1-3 of the webcap mushroom Cortinarius rufoolivaceus, were biochemically characterized. These basidiomycete synthases lack a SAT domain yet are fully functional hepta- and octaketide synthases in vivo. Three members of the other clade of basidiomycete NR-PKSs (clade VIII) were produced as SAT-domainless versions and analyzed in vivo and in vitro. They retained full activity, thus corroborating the notion that the SAT domain is dispensable for many basidiomycete NR-PKSs. For comparison, the ascomycete octaketide synthase atrochrysone carboxylic acid synthase (ACAS) was produced as a SAT-domainless enzyme as well, but turned out completely inactive. However, a literature survey revealed that some NR-PKSs of ascomycetes carry mutations within the catalytic motif of the SAT domain. In these cases, the role of the domain and the origin of the formal acetate unit remains open. CONCLUSIONS The role of SAT domains differs between asco- and basidiomycete NR-PKSs. For the latter, it is not part of the minimal set of NR-PKS domains and not required for function. This knowledge may help engineer compact NR-PKSs for more resource-efficient routes. From the genomic standpoint, seemingly incomplete or corrupted genes encoding SAT-domainless NR-PKSs should not automatically be dismissed as non-functional pseudogenes, but considered during genome analysis to decipher the potential arsenal of natural products of a given fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai A Löhr
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Malik Rakhmanov
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Jacob M Wurlitzer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Gerald Lackner
- Synthetic Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany.
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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11
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Seibold PS, Lawrinowitz S, Raztsou I, Gressler M, Arndt HD, Stallforth P, Hoffmeister D. Bifurcate evolution of quinone synthetases in basidiomycetes. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2023; 10:14. [PMID: 37400920 PMCID: PMC10316625 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The terphenylquinones represent an ecologically remarkable class of basidiomycete natural products as they serve as central precursors of pigments and compounds that impact on microbial consortia by modulating bacterial biofilms and motility. This study addressed the phylogenetic origin of the quinone synthetases that assemble the key terphenylquinones polyporic acid and atromentin. RESULTS The activity of the Hapalopilus rutilans synthetases HapA1, HapA2 and of Psilocybe cubensis PpaA1 were reconstituted in Aspergilli. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of the culture extracts identified all three enzymes as polyporic acid synthetases. PpaA1 is unique in that it features a C-terminal, yet catalytically inactive dioxygenase domain. Combined with bioinformatics to reconstruct the phylogeny, our results demonstrate that basidiomycete polyporic acid and atromentin synthetases evolved independently, although they share an identical catalytic mechanism and release structurally very closely related products. A targeted amino acid replacement in the substrate binding pocket of the adenylation domains resulted in bifunctional synthetases producing both polyporic acid and atromentin. CONCLUSIONS Our results imply that quinone synthetases evolved twice independently in basidiomycetes, depending on the aromatic α-keto acid substrate. Furthermore, key amino acid residues for substrate specificity were identified and changed which led to a relaxed substrate profile. Therefore, our work lays the foundation for future targeted enzyme engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Sophie Seibold
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lawrinowitz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Ihar Raztsou
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Arndt
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Pierre Stallforth
- Department Paleobiotechnology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany.
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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12
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Löhr NA, Urban MC, Eisen F, Platz L, Hüttel W, Gressler M, Müller M, Hoffmeister D. The Ketosynthase Domain Controls Chain Length in Mushroom Oligocyclic Polyketide Synthases. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200649. [PMID: 36507600 PMCID: PMC10108026 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nonreducing iterative type I polyketide synthases (NR-PKSs) CoPKS1 and CoPKS4 of the webcap mushroom Cortinarius odorifer share 88 % identical amino acids. CoPKS1 almost exclusively produces a tricyclic octaketide product, atrochrysone carboxylic acid, whereas CoPKS4 shows simultaneous hepta- and octaketide synthase activity and also produces the bicyclic heptaketide 6-hydroxymusizin. To identify the region(s) controlling chain length, four chimeric enzyme variants were constructed and assayed for activity in Aspergillus niger as heterologous expression platform. We provide evidence that the β-ketoacyl synthase (KS) domain determines chain length in these mushroom NR-PKSs, even though their KS domains differ in only ten amino acids. A unique proline-rich linker connecting the acyl carrier protein with the thioesterase domain varies most between these two enzymes but is not involved in chain length control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai A. Löhr
- Department Pharmaceutical MicrobiologyHans-Knöll-InstituteFriedrich-Schiller-UniversitätBeutenbergstrasse 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Maximilian C. Urban
- Department Pharmaceutical MicrobiologyHans-Knöll-InstituteFriedrich-Schiller-UniversitätBeutenbergstrasse 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Frederic Eisen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2579104FreiburgGermany
| | - Lukas Platz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2579104FreiburgGermany
| | - Wolfgang Hüttel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2579104FreiburgGermany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Department Pharmaceutical MicrobiologyHans-Knöll-InstituteFriedrich-Schiller-UniversitätBeutenbergstrasse 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Michael Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2579104FreiburgGermany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department Pharmaceutical MicrobiologyHans-Knöll-InstituteFriedrich-Schiller-UniversitätBeutenbergstrasse 11a07745JenaGermany
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13
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Kirchgaessner L, Wurlitzer JM, Seibold PS, Rakhmanov M, Gressler M. A genetic tool to express long fungal biosynthetic genes. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2023; 10:4. [PMID: 36726159 PMCID: PMC9893682 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00152-3] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary metabolites (SMs) from mushroom-forming fungi (Basidiomycota) and early diverging fungi (EDF) such as Mucoromycota are scarcely investigated. In many cases, production of SMs is induced by unknown stress factors or is accompanied by seasonable developmental changes on fungal morphology. Moreover, many of these fungi are considered as non-culturable under laboratory conditions which impedes investigation into SM. In the post-genomic era, numerous novel SM genes have been identified especially from EDF. As most of them encode multi-module enzymes, these genes are usually long which limits cloning and heterologous expression in traditional hosts. RESULTS An expression system in Aspergillus niger is presented that is suitable for the production of SMs from both Basidiomycota and EDF. The akuB gene was deleted in the expression host A. niger ATNT∆pyrG, resulting in a deficient nonhomologous end-joining repair mechanism which in turn facilitates the targeted gene deletion via homologous recombination. The ∆akuB mutant tLK01 served as a platform to integrate overlapping DNA fragments of long SM genes into the fwnA locus required for the black pigmentation of conidia. This enables an easy discrimination of correct transformants by screening the transformation plates for fawn-colored colonies. Expression of the gene of interest (GOI) is induced dose-dependently by addition of doxycycline and is enhanced by the dual TetON/terrein synthase promoter system (ATNT) from Aspergillus terreus. We show that the 8 kb polyketide synthase gene lpaA from the basidiomycete Laetiporus sulphureus is correctly assembled from five overlapping DNA fragments and laetiporic acids are produced. In a second approach, we expressed the yet uncharacterized > 20 kb nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene calA from the EDF Mortierella alpina. Gene expression and subsequent LC-MS/MS analysis of mycelial extracts revealed the production of the antimycobacterial compound calpinactam. This is the first report on the heterologous production of a full-length SM multidomain enzyme from EDF. CONCLUSIONS The system allows the assembly, targeted integration and expression of genes of > 20 kb size in A. niger in one single step. The system is suitable for evolutionary distantly related SM genes from both Basidiomycota and EDF. This uncovers new SM resources including genetically intractable or non-culturable fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Kirchgaessner
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.418398.f0000 0001 0143 807XDepartment Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.413047.50000 0001 0658 7859Faculty Medical Technology and Biotechnology, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jacob M. Wurlitzer
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.418398.f0000 0001 0143 807XDepartment Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Paula S. Seibold
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.418398.f0000 0001 0143 807XDepartment Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Malik Rakhmanov
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.418398.f0000 0001 0143 807XDepartment Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Pharmacy, Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ,grid.418398.f0000 0001 0143 807XDepartment Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Xin J, Chen X, Xu T, He J, Pan Z, Zhang C. Metabolomic profiles of the liquid state fermentation in co-culture of Eurotium amstelodami and Bacillus licheniformis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1080743. [PMID: 36778878 PMCID: PMC9909110 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1080743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
As an important source of new drug molecules, secondary metabolites (SMs) produced by microorganisms possess important biological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. However, the true potential of microbial synthesis of SMs has not been fully elucidated as the SM gene clusters remain silent under laboratory culture conditions. Herein, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of Staphylococcus aureus by co-culture of Eurotium amstelodami and three Bacillus species, including Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. In addition, a non-target approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS) was used to detect differences in extracellular and intracellular metabolites. Notably, the co-culture of E. amstelodami and Bacillus spices significantly improved the inhibitory effect against S. aureus, with the combination of E. amstelodami and B. licheniformis showing best performance. Metabolomics data further revealed that the abundant SMs, such as Nummularine B, Lucidenic acid E2, Elatoside G, Aspergillic acid, 4-Hydroxycyclohexylcarboxylic acid, Copaene, and Pipecolic acid were significantly enhanced in co-culture. Intracellularly, the differential metabolites were involved in the metabolism of amino acids, nucleic acids, and glycerophospholipid. Overall, this work demonstrates that the co-culture strategy is beneficial for inducing biosynthesis of active metabolites in E. amstelodami and B. licheniformis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chuanbo Zhang
- Laboratory of Microbial Resources and Industrial Application, College of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
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15
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Baldin C, Kühbacher A, Merschak P, Wagener J, Gsaller F. Modular Inducible Multigene Expression System for Filamentous Fungi. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0367022. [PMID: 36350143 PMCID: PMC9769661 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03670-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inducible promoters are indispensable elements when considering the possibility to modulate gene expression on demand. Desirable traits of conditional expression systems include their capacity for tight downregulation, high overexpression, and in some instances for fine-tuning, to achieve a desired product's stoichiometry. Although the number of inducible systems is slowly increasing, suitable promoters comprising these features are rare. To date, the concomitant use of multiple regulatable promoter platforms for controlled multigene expression has been poorly explored. This work provides pioneer work in the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, wherein we investigated different inducible systems, elucidated three candidate promoters, and proved for the first time that up to three systems can be used simultaneously without interfering with each other. Proof of concept was obtained by conditionally expressing three antifungal drug targets within the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway under the control of the xylose-inducible PxylP system, the tetracycline-dependent Tet-On system, and the thiamine-repressible PthiA system. IMPORTANCE In recent years, inducible promoters have gained increasing interest for industrial or laboratory use and have become key instruments for protein expression, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering. Constitutive, high-expressing promoters can be used to achieve high expression yields; however, the continuous overexpression of specific proteins can lead to an unpredictable metabolic burden. To prevent undesirable effects on the expression host's metabolism, the utilization of tunable systems that allow expression of a gene product on demand is indispensable. Here, we elucidated several excellent tunable promoter systems and verified that each can be independently induced in a single strain to ultimately develop a unique conditional multigene expression system. This highly efficient, modular toolbox has the potential to significantly advance applications in fundamental as well as applied research in which regulatable expression of several genes is a key requirement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Baldin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Kühbacher
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petra Merschak
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Wagener
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Lawrinowitz S, Wurlitzer JM, Weiss D, Arndt HD, Kothe E, Gressler M, Hoffmeister D. Blue Light-Dependent Pre-mRNA Splicing Controls Pigment Biosynthesis in the Mushroom Terana caerulea. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0106522. [PMID: 36094086 PMCID: PMC9603100 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01065-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Light induces the production of ink-blue pentacyclic natural products, the corticin pigments, in the cobalt crust mushroom Terana caerulea. Here, we describe the genetic locus for corticin biosynthesis and provide evidence for a light-dependent dual transcriptional/cotranscriptional regulatory mechanism. Light selectively induces the expression of the corA gene encoding the gateway enzyme, the first described mushroom polyporic acid synthetase CorA, while other biosynthetic genes for modifying enzymes necessary to complete corticin assembly are induced only at lower levels. The strongest corA induction was observed following exposure to blue and UV light. A second layer of regulation is provided by the light-dependent splicing of the three introns in the pre-mRNA of corA. Our results provide insight into the fundamental organization of how mushrooms regulate natural product biosynthesis. IMPORTANCE The regulation of natural product biosyntheses in mushrooms in response to environmental cues is poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap and chose the cobalt crust mushroom Terana caerulea as our model. Our work discovered a dual-level regulatory mechanism that connects light as an abiotic stimulus with a physiological response, i.e., the production of dark-blue pigments. Exposure to blue light elicits strongly increased transcription of the gene encoding the gateway enzyme, the polyporic acid synthetase CorA, that catalyzes the formation of the pigment core structure. Additionally, light is a prerequisite for the full splicing of corA pre-mRNA and, thus, its proper maturation. Dual transcriptional/cotranscriptional light-dependent control of fungal natural product biosynthesis has previously been unknown. As it allows the tight control of a key metabolic step, it may be a much more prevalent mechanism among these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lawrinowitz
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Jacob M. Wurlitzer
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Dieter Weiss
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Arndt
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Erika Kothe
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute for Microbiology, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
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Löhr NA, Eisen F, Thiele W, Platz L, Motter J, Hüttel W, Gressler M, Müller M, Hoffmeister D. Unprecedented Mushroom Polyketide Synthases Produce the Universal Anthraquinone Precursor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202116142. [PMID: 35218274 PMCID: PMC9325552 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
(Pre-)anthraquinones are widely distributed natural compounds and occur in plants, fungi, microorganisms, and animals, with atrochrysone (1) as the key biosynthetic precursor. Chemical analyses established mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius-the webcaps-as producers of atrochrysone-derived octaketide pigments. However, more recent genomic data did not provide any evidence for known atrochrysone carboxylic acid (4) synthases nor any other polyketide synthase (PKS) producing oligocyclic metabolites. Here, we describe an unprecedented class of non-reducing (NR-)PKS. In vitro assays with recombinant enzyme in combination with in vivo product formation in the heterologous host Aspergillus niger established CoPKS1 and CoPKS4 of C. odorifer as members of a new class of atrochrysone carboxylic acid synthases. CoPKS4 catalyzed both hepta- and octaketide synthesis and yielded 6-hydroxymusizin (6), along with 4. These first mushroom PKSs for oligocyclic products illustrate how the biosynthesis of bioactive natural metabolites evolved independently in various groups of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai A Löhr
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Frederic Eisen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wiebke Thiele
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Platz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Motter
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hüttel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Knöll-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
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Bioluminescence imaging in Paracoccidioides spp.: A tool to monitor the infectious processes. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:104975. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.104975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Resendiz-Sharpe A, da Silva RP, Geib E, Vanderbeke L, Seldeslachts L, Hupko C, Brock M, Lagrou K, Vande Velde G. Longitudinal multimodal imaging-compatible mouse model of triazole-sensitive and -resistant invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274857. [PMID: 35352801 PMCID: PMC8990085 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) caused by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most important life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. The alarming increase of isolates resistant to the first-line recommended antifungal therapy urges more insights into triazole-resistant A. fumigatus infections. In this study, we systematically optimized a longitudinal multimodal imaging-compatible neutropenic mouse model of IPA. Reproducible rates of pulmonary infection were achieved through immunosuppression (sustained neutropenia) with 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide at day −4, −1 and 2, and an orotracheal inoculation route in both sexes. Furthermore, increased sensitivity of in vivo bioluminescence imaging for fungal burden detection, as early as the day after infection, was achieved by optimizing luciferin dosing and through engineering isogenic red-shifted bioluminescent A. fumigatus strains, one wild type and two triazole-resistant mutants. We successfully tested appropriate and inappropriate antifungal treatment scenarios in vivo with our optimized multimodal imaging strategy, according to the in vitro susceptibility of our luminescent fungal strains. Therefore, we provide novel essential mouse models with sensitive imaging tools for investigating IPA development and therapy in triazole-susceptible and triazole-resistant scenarios. Summary: A novel reproducible longitudinal multimodal imaging-compatible neutropenic mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis provides increased early fungal detection through novel red-shifted luciferase-expressing triazole-susceptible and -resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains, and boosted bioluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Resendiz-Sharpe
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roberta Peres da Silva
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Geib
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Lore Vanderbeke
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Seldeslachts
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlien Hupko
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Centre for Mycosis, Excellence Centre for Medical Mycology (ECMM), University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Löhr NA, Eisen F, Thiele W, Platz L, Motter J, Hüttel W, Gressler M, Müller M, Hoffmeister D. Unprecedented Mushroom Polyketide Synthases Produce the Universal Anthraquinone Precursor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202116142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai A Löhr
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena Pharmaceutical Microbiology GERMANY
| | - Frederic Eisen
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Wiebke Thiele
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Lukas Platz
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Jonas Motter
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena Pharmaceutical Microbiology GERMANY
| | - Wolfgang Hüttel
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Markus Gressler
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena Pharmaceutical Microbiology GERMANY
| | - Michael Müller
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Leibniz-Institut fur Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie eV Hans-Knoll-Institut Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans-Kn�ll-Institute Beutenbergstrasse 11a 07745 Jena GERMANY
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21
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Gressler AE, Volke D, Firacative C, Schnabel CL, Müller U, Krizsan A, Schulze-Richter B, Brock M, Brombacher F, Escandón P, Hoffmann R, Alber G. Identification of Disease-Associated Cryptococcal Proteins Reactive With Serum IgG From Cryptococcal Meningitis Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:709695. [PMID: 34367172 PMCID: PMC8342929 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.709695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen ubiquitously present in the environment, causes cryptococcal meningitis (CM) mainly in immunocompromised patients, such as AIDS patients. We aimed to identify disease-associated cryptococcal protein antigens targeted by the human humoral immune response. Therefore, we used sera from Colombian CM patients, with or without HIV infection, and from healthy individuals living in the same region. Serological analysis revealed increased titers of anti-cryptococcal IgG in HIV-negative CM patients, but not HIV-positive CM patients, compared to healthy controls. In contrast, titers of anti-cryptococcal IgM were not affected by CM. Furthermore, we detected pre-existing IgG and IgM antibodies even in sera from healthy individuals. The observed induction of anti-cryptococcal IgG but not IgM during CM was supported by analysis of sera from C. neoformans-infected mice. Stronger increase in IgG was found in wild type mice with high lung fungal burden compared to IL-4Rα-deficient mice showing low lung fungal burden. To identify the proteins targeted by human anti-cryptococcal IgG antibodies, we applied a quantitative 2D immunoproteome approach identifying cryptococcal protein spots preferentially recognized by sera from CM patients or healthy individuals followed by mass spectrometry analysis. Twenty-three cryptococcal proteins were recombinantly expressed and confirmed to be immunoreactive with human sera. Fourteen of them were newly described as immunoreactive proteins. Twelve proteins were classified as disease-associated antigens, based on significantly stronger immunoreactivity with sera from CM patients compared to healthy individuals. The proteins identified in our screen significantly expand the pool of cryptococcal proteins with potential for (i) development of novel anti-cryptococcal agents based on implications in cryptococcal virulence or survival, or (ii) development of an anti-cryptococcal vaccine, as several candidates lack homology to human proteins and are localized extracellularly. Furthermore, this study defines pre-existing anti-cryptococcal immunoreactivity in healthy individuals at a molecular level, identifying target antigens recognized by sera from healthy control persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Elisabeth Gressler
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniela Volke
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Christiane L Schnabel
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Müller
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andor Krizsan
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bianca Schulze-Richter
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Genetics and Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Brombacher
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gottfried Alber
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Gressler M, Löhr NA, Schäfer T, Lawrinowitz S, Seibold PS, Hoffmeister D. Mind the mushroom: natural product biosynthetic genes and enzymes of Basidiomycota. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:702-722. [PMID: 33404035 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00077a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to September 2020 Mushroom-forming fungi of the division Basidiomycota have traditionally been recognised as prolific producers of structurally diverse and often bioactive secondary metabolites, using the methods of chemistry for research. Over the past decade, -omics technologies were applied on these fungi, and sophisticated heterologous gene expression platforms emerged, which have boosted research into the genetic and biochemical basis of the biosyntheses. This review provides an overview on experimentally confirmed natural product biosyntheses of basidiomycete polyketides, amino acid-derived products, terpenoids, and volatiles. We also present challenges and solutions particular to natural product research with these fungi. 222 references are cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gressler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Nikolai A Löhr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Tim Schäfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Lawrinowitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Paula Sophie Seibold
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Hans Knöll Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Winzerlaer Strasse 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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Controlled Transcription of Regulator Gene carS by Tet-on or by a Strong Promoter Confirms Its Role as a Repressor of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Fusarium fujikuroi. Microorganisms 2020; 9:microorganisms9010071. [PMID: 33383912 PMCID: PMC7824685 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotenoid biosynthesis is a frequent trait in fungi. In the ascomycete Fusarium fujikuroi, the synthesis of the carboxylic xanthophyll neurosporaxanthin (NX) is stimulated by light. However, the mutants of the carS gene, encoding a protein of the RING finger family, accumulate large NX amounts regardless of illumination, indicating the role of CarS as a negative regulator. To confirm CarS function, we used the Tet-on system to control carS expression in this fungus. The system was first set up with a reporter mluc gene, which showed a positive correlation between the inducer doxycycline and luminescence. Once the system was improved, the carS gene was expressed using Tet-on in the wild strain and in a carS mutant. In both cases, increased carS transcription provoked a downregulation of the structural genes of the pathway and albino phenotypes even under light. Similarly, when the carS gene was constitutively overexpressed under the control of a gpdA promoter, total downregulation of the NX pathway was observed. The results confirmed the role of CarS as a repressor of carotenogenesis in F. fujikuroi and revealed that its expression must be regulated in the wild strain to allow appropriate NX biosynthesis in response to illumination.
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Seibold PS, Lenz C, Gressler M, Hoffmeister D. The Laetiporus polyketide synthase LpaA produces a series of antifungal polyenes. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2020; 73:711-720. [PMID: 32820242 PMCID: PMC7473843 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-020-00362-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The conspicuous bright golden to orange-reddish coloration of species of the basidiomycete genus Laetiporus is a hallmark feature of their fruiting bodies, known among mushroom hunters as the "chicken of the woods". This report describes the identification of an eight-domain mono-modular highly reducing polyketide synthase as sole enzyme necessary for laetiporic acid biosynthesis. Heterologous pathway reconstitution in both Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus niger verified that LpaA functions as a multi-chain length polyene synthase, which produces a cocktail of laetiporic acids with a methyl-branched C26-C32 main chain. Laetiporic acids show a marked antifungal activity on Aspergillus protoplasts. Given the multiple products of a single biosynthesis enzyme, our work underscores the diversity-oriented character of basidiomycete natural product biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudius Lenz
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Gressler
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmeister
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
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26
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Derntl C, Mach R, Mach-Aigner A. Application of the human estrogen receptor within a synthetic transcription factor in Trichoderma reesei. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2020; 7:12. [PMID: 32765896 PMCID: PMC7396459 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-020-00102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Synthetic gene expression systems offer a possibility for controllable and targeted induction of the expression of genes of interest, which is a fundamental technique necessary for basic research and industrial applications. The human estrogen receptor α contains a ligand binding domain that enforces dimerization and nuclear import upon binding of the inducer 17β-estradiol. In this study, we tested the potential of this ligand binding domain to be used in filamentous fungi as an auto-regulatory domain in a synthetic transcription factor. Results We constructed the synthetic transcription factor SynX by fusing the DNA-binding domain of Xyr1 (Xylanase Regulator 1), the transactivation domain of Ypr1 (Yellow Pigment Regulator 1), and the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α. SynX is able to strongly induce the gene expression of xylanases and an aldose reductase by addition of 17β-estradiol, but SynX does not induce gene expression of cellulases. Importantly, the induction of xylanase activities is mostly carbon source independent and can be fine-tuned by controlling the concentration of 17β-estradiol. Conclusion The ability of SynX to induce gene expression of xylanase encoding genes by addition of 17β-estradiol demonstrates that the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α works in filamentous fungi, and that it can be combined with a transactivation domain other than the commonly used transactivation domain of herpes simplex virion protein VP16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Derntl
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Mach
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Astrid Mach-Aigner
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
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Palys S, Pham TTM, Tsang A. Biosynthesis of Alkylcitric Acids in Aspergillus niger Involves Both Co-localized and Unlinked Genes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1378. [PMID: 32695080 PMCID: PMC7338620 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are an abundant source of bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs). In many cases, the biosynthetic processes of SMs are not well understood. This work focuses on a group of SMs, the alkylcitric acids, each of which contains a saturated alkyl "tail," and a citrate-derived "head." We initially identified their biosynthetic gene cluster and the transcriptional regulator (akcR) involved in the biosynthesis of alkylcitrates in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger by examining the functional annotation of SM gene clusters predicted from genomic data. We overexpressed the transcription regulator gene akcR and obtained from one liter of culture filtrate 8.5 grams of extract, which are represented by seven alkylcitric acids as determined by NMR. Hexylaconitic acid A comprised 94.1% of the total production, and four of the seven identified alkylcitrates have not been reported previously. Analysis of orthologous alkylcitrate gene clusters in the Aspergilli revealed that in A. oryzae and A. flavus an in-cluster gene displays sequence similarity to cis-aconitate decarboxylase, the orthologue of which in A. niger, NRRL3_00504, is located on a different chromosome. Overexpression of the A. niger NRRL3_00504 and akcR genes together shifted the profile of alkylcitrates production from primarily hexylaconitic acids to mainly hexylitaconic acids, suggesting that NRRL3_00504 encodes an enzyme with hexyl aconitate decarboxylase activity. We also detected two additional, previously unreported, alkylcitric acids in the double overexpression strain. This study shows that phylogenomic analysis together with experimental manipulations can be used to reconstruct a more complete biosynthetic pathway in generating a broader spectrum of alkylcitric compounds. The approach adopted here has the potential of elucidating the complexity of other SM biosynthetic pathways in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrian Tsang
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Markina NM, Kotlobay AA, Tsarkova AS. Heterologous Metabolic Pathways: Strategies for Optimal Expression in Eukaryotic Hosts. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:28-39. [PMID: 32742725 PMCID: PMC7385092 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.10966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterologous pathways are linked series of biochemical reactions occurring in a host organism after the introduction of foreign genes. Incorporation of metabolic pathways into host organisms is a major strategy used to increase the production of valuable secondary metabolites. Unfortunately, simple introduction of the pathway genes into the heterologous host in most cases does not result in successful heterologous expression. Extensive modification of heterologous genes and the corresponding enzymes on many different levels is required to achieve high target metabolite production rates. This review summarizes the essential techniques used to create heterologous biochemical pathways, with a focus on the key challenges arising in the process and the major strategies for overcoming them.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. M. Markina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
- Planta LLC, Moscow, 121205 Russia
| | - A. A. Kotlobay
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - A. S. Tsarkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997 Russia
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Cortesão M, Schütze T, Marx R, Moeller R, Meyer V. Fungal Biotechnology in Space: Why and How? GRAND CHALLENGES IN FUNGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29541-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Nevalainen H. Strategies and Challenges for the Development of Industrial Enzymes Using Fungal Cell Factories. GRAND CHALLENGES IN FUNGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020. [PMCID: PMC7123961 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29541-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Industrial enzymes have been produced from microorganisms for more than a century. Today, a large share of enzyme products is manufactured using recombinant microorganisms. This chapter focuses on major industrial fungal species belonging to the ascomycetes like Aspergillus niger, A. oryzae, and Trichoderma reesei. Many of the commercially available recombinant enzymes are manufactured using fungi. Examples of fungal enzymes used in food products are described. The enzyme industry is to a large extent cost-driven, so the enzyme product needs to meet strict COGS (cost of goods sold) targets. Therefore, the cell factory must be very efficient to produce the enzyme in high titers and efficiently utilize raw materials. Secondly, it must be designed for a robust and generic fermentation process. When developing fungal hosts for enzyme production, several properties of the system need to be considered relating to efficiency of the cell factory, purity of the product, and safety of both the cell factory and the product. Purity is secured by engineering of the cell factory, and properties related to safety must also be engineered into the fungal host. The methods used for strain improvement are continuously being developed to increase yields and are described herein. More automation using precision tools for modification of the genome (i.e., CRISPR) and low-cost sequencing have vastly expanded the possibilities and enabled fast strain development. Using systems biology approaches, better understanding of cellular processes is now possible enabling advanced engineering of fungal cell factories. Surprisingly, a survey of innovation in the field revealed a decrease in the number of patent applications in recent years. Finally, the requirements for enzyme approval, especially in food and feed, have increased significantly worldwide in the last few years. A description of the regulatory landscape and its challenges in food and feed is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Nevalainen
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Vassaux A, Meunier L, Vandenbol M, Baurain D, Fickers P, Jacques P, Leclère V. Nonribosomal peptides in fungal cell factories: from genome mining to optimized heterologous production. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107449. [PMID: 31518630 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are notoriously prolific producers of secondary metabolites including nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). The structural complexity of NRPs grants them interesting activities such as antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The discovery of these compounds with attractive activities can be achieved by using two approaches: either by screening samples originating from various environments for their biological activities, or by identifying the related clusters in genomic sequences thanks to bioinformatics tools. This genome mining approach has grown tremendously due to recent advances in genome sequencing, which have provided an incredible amount of genomic data from hundreds of microbial species. Regarding fungal organisms, the genomic data have revealed the presence of an unexpected number of putative NRP-related gene clusters. This highlights fungi as a goldmine for the discovery of putative novel bioactive compounds. Recent development of NRP dedicated bioinformatics tools have increased the capacity to identify these gene clusters and to deduce NRPs structures, speeding-up the screening process for novel metabolites discovery. Unfortunately, the newly identified compound is frequently not or poorly produced by native producers due to a lack of expression of the related genes cluster. A frequently employed strategy to increase production rates consists in transferring the related biosynthetic pathway in heterologous hosts. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview about the topic of NRPs discovery, from gene cluster identification by genome mining to the heterologous production in fungal hosts. The main computational tools and methods for genome mining are herein presented with an emphasis on the particularities of the fungal systems. The different steps of the reconstitution of NRP biosynthetic pathway in heterologous fungal cell factories will be discussed, as well as the key factors to consider for maximizing productivity. Several examples will be developed to illustrate the potential of heterologous production to both discover uncharacterized novel compounds predicted in silico by genome mining, and to enhance the productivity of interesting bio-active natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Vassaux
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomie, B5030 Gembloux, Belgium; Univ. Lille, INRA, ISA, Univ. Artois, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, EA 7394-ICV-Institut Charles Viollette, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Loïc Meunier
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomie, B5030 Gembloux, Belgium; InBioS-PhytoSYSTEMS, Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, University of Liege, Boulevard du Rectorat 27, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Micheline Vandenbol
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Microbiologie et Génomique, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomie, B5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Denis Baurain
- InBioS-PhytoSYSTEMS, Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, University of Liege, Boulevard du Rectorat 27, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Patrick Fickers
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomie, B5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Philippe Jacques
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomie, B5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Valérie Leclère
- Univ. Lille, INRA, ISA, Univ. Artois, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, EA 7394-ICV-Institut Charles Viollette, F-59000 Lille, France.
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Cairns TC, Zheng X, Zheng P, Sun J, Meyer V. Moulding the mould: understanding and reprogramming filamentous fungal growth and morphogenesis for next generation cell factories. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:77. [PMID: 30988699 PMCID: PMC6446404 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1400-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are harnessed as cell factories for the production of a diverse range of organic acids, proteins, and secondary metabolites. Growth and morphology have critical implications for product titres in both submerged and solid-state fermentations. Recent advances in systems-level understanding of the filamentous lifestyle and development of sophisticated synthetic biological tools for controlled manipulation of fungal genomes now allow rational strain development programs based on data-driven decision making. In this review, we focus on Aspergillus spp. and other industrially utilised fungi to summarise recent insights into the multifaceted and dynamic relationship between filamentous growth and product titres from genetic, metabolic, modelling, subcellular, macromorphological and process engineering perspectives. Current progress and knowledge gaps with regard to mechanistic understanding of product secretion and export from the fungal cell are discussed. We highlight possible strategies for unlocking lead genes for rational strain optimizations based on omics data, and discuss how targeted genetic manipulation of these candidates can be used to optimise fungal morphology for improved performance. Additionally, fungal signalling cascades are introduced as critical processes that can be genetically targeted to control growth and morphology during biotechnological applications. Finally, we review progress in the field of synthetic biology towards chassis cells and minimal genomes, which will eventually enable highly programmable filamentous growth and diversified production capabilities. Ultimately, these advances will not only expand the fungal biotechnology portfolio but will also significantly contribute to a sustainable bio-economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C. Cairns
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Zheng
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jibin Sun
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 People’s Republic of China
| | - Vera Meyer
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308 China
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
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Geib E, Baldeweg F, Doerfer M, Nett M, Brock M. Cross-Chemistry Leads to Product Diversity from Atromentin Synthetases in Aspergilli from Section Nigri. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 26:223-234.e6. [PMID: 30527997 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzymes catalyze the non-oxidative homodimerization of aromatic α-keto acids, but the exact reaction mechanism is unknown. The furanone-forming thioesterase domain of the Aspergillus terreus aspulvinone E synthetase MelA displays a predicted quinone-forming motif, whereby its catalytic triad contains an essential cysteine indicating an unusual thioester intermediate. To convert MelA into a quinone-forming atromentin synthetase its thioesterase domain was replaced with that from a Paxillus involutus or A. terreus atromentin synthetase. Phylogenetic proximity of donor and acceptor seems important, as only replacement with the A. terreus thioesterase was functional. Heterologous expression of atromentin synthetases in Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae revealed host-dependent product formation whereby cross-chemistry directed atromentin biosynthesis in A. niger toward atrofuranic acid. Screening of aspergilli from section Nigri identified an atromentin synthetase in Aspergillus brasiliensis that produced atrofuranic acid in the homologous host. Therefore, cross-chemistry on quinone cores appears common to section Nigri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Geib
- Fungal Genetics and Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Florian Baldeweg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Adolf-Reichwein Straße 23a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Maximilian Doerfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Adolf-Reichwein Straße 23a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Nett
- Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Genetics and Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Dellafiora L, Aichinger G, Geib E, Sánchez-Barrionuevo L, Brock M, Cánovas D, Dall'Asta C, Marko D. Hybrid in silico/in vitro target fishing to assign function to "orphan" compounds of food origin - The case of the fungal metabolite atromentin. Food Chem 2018; 270:61-69. [PMID: 30174092 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Many small molecules of food origin may effect human health but lack an adequate description of their biological activity. To fill this knowledge gap, a first-line workflow is needed to assign putative functions, rank the endpoints for testing and guide wet-lab experiments. In this framework, the identification of potential biological targets can be used to probe the activity of orphan compounds using a so-called "target fishing" approach. Here, we present a proof of concept study using an in silico/in vitro target fishing approach on the fungal secondary metabolite atromentin. The procedure relies on a computational screening for activity identification coupled with experimental trials for dose-response characterization. Computational results identified estrogen receptors and 17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as potential targets. Experiments confirmed a weak estrogenic activity, supporting the reliability of the procedure. Despite limited estrogenicity of atromentin, the proposed inhibition of 17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase should be considered as a source for endocrine disruptive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Via G.P. Usberti 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Georg Aichinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Elena Geib
- Fungal Genetics and Biology Groups, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, UK.
| | | | - Matthias Brock
- Fungal Genetics and Biology Groups, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, UK.
| | - David Cánovas
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla, 41012, Spain.
| | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Via G.P. Usberti 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Inducible promoters and functional genomic approaches for the genetic engineering of filamentous fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6357-6372. [PMID: 29860590 PMCID: PMC6061484 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In industry, filamentous fungi have a prominent position as producers of economically relevant primary or secondary metabolites. Particularly, the advent of genetic engineering of filamentous fungi has led to a growing number of molecular tools to adopt filamentous fungi for biotechnical applications. Here, we summarize recent developments in fungal biology, where fungal host systems were genetically manipulated for optimal industrial applications. Firstly, available inducible promoter systems depending on carbon sources are mentioned together with various adaptations of the Tet-Off and Tet-On systems for use in different industrial fungal host systems. Subsequently, we summarize representative examples, where diverse expression systems were used for the production of heterologous products, including proteins from mammalian systems. In addition, the progressing usage of genomics and functional genomics data for strain improvement strategies are addressed, for the identification of biosynthesis genes and their related metabolic pathways. Functional genomic data are further used to decipher genomic differences between wild-type and high-production strains, in order to optimize endogenous metabolic pathways that lead to the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant end products. Lastly, we discuss how molecular data sets can be used to modify products for optimized applications.
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Cairns TC, Nai C, Meyer V. How a fungus shapes biotechnology: 100 years of Aspergillus niger research. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2018; 5:13. [PMID: 29850025 PMCID: PMC5966904 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-018-0054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1917, a food chemist named James Currie made a promising discovery: any strain of the filamentous mould Aspergillus niger would produce high concentrations of citric acid when grown in sugar medium. This tricarboxylic acid, which we now know is an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, had previously been extracted from citrus fruits for applications in food and beverage production. Two years after Currie’s discovery, industrial-level production using A. niger began, the biochemical fermentation industry started to flourish, and industrial biotechnology was born. A century later, citric acid production using this mould is a multi-billion dollar industry, with A. niger additionally producing a diverse range of proteins, enzymes and secondary metabolites. In this review, we assess main developments in the field of A. niger biology over the last 100 years and highlight scientific breakthroughs and discoveries which were influential for both basic and applied fungal research in and outside the A. niger community. We give special focus to two developments of the last decade: systems biology and genome editing. We also summarize the current international A. niger research community, and end by speculating on the future of fundamental research on this fascinating fungus and its exploitation in industrial biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Cairns
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Corrado Nai
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vera Meyer
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
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