Trichoderma reesei contains a biosynthetic gene cluster that encodes the antifungal agent ilicicolin h

authored by

Mary L. Shenouda, Maria Ambilika, Russell J. Cox

Abstract

The trili biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) from the well-studied organism Trichoderma reesei was studied by heterologous expression in the fungal host Aspergillus oryzae. Coexpression of triliA and triliB produces two new acyl tetramic acids. Addition of the ring-expanding cytochrome P450 encoded by triliC then yields a known pyridone intermediate to ilicicolin H and a new chain-truncated shunt metabolite. Finally, addition of the intramolecular Diels-Alderase encoded by triliD affords a mixture of 8-epi ilicicolin H and ilicicolin H itself, showing that the T. reesei trili BGC encodes biosynthesis of this potent antifungal agent. Unexpected A. oryzae shunt pathways are responsible for the production of the new compounds, emphasising the role of fungal hosts in catalysing diversification reactions.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Microbiology
Institute of Organic Chemistry

Type

Article

Journal

Journal of Fungi

Volume

7

Publication date

01.12.2021

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Plant Science, Microbiology (medical)

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7121034 (Access: Open)