Identification of the First Diphenyl Ether Gene Cluster for Pestheic Acid Biosynthesis in Plant Endophyte Pestalotiopsis fici. Issue 2 (2nd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Xinxin; Liu, Ling; Zhang, Fan; Wang, Wenzhao; Li, Jinyang; Guo, Liangdong; Che, Yongsheng; Liu, Gang
• Is Part Of: Chembiochem. Volume 15:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2013-12-02
• Subjects: Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201300626
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4227

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The diphenyl ether pestheic acid was isolated from the endophytic fungus <italic>Pestalotiopsis fici</italic>, which is proposed to be the biosynthetic precursor of the unique chloropupukeananes. The pestheic acid biosynthetic gene (<italic>pta</italic>) cluster was identified in the fungus through genome scanning. Sequence analysis revealed that this gene cluster encodes a nonreducing polyketide synthase, a number of modification enzymes, and three regulators. Gene disruption and intermediate analysis demonstrated that the biosynthesis proceeded through formation of the polyketide backbone, cyclization of a polyketo acid to a benzophenone, chlorination, and formation of the diphenyl ether skeleton through oxidation and hydrolyzation. A dihydrogeodin oxidase gene, <italic>ptaE</italic>, was essential for diphenyl ether formation, and <italic>ptaM</italic> encoded a flavin‐dependent halogenase catalyzing chlorination in the biosynthesis. Identification of the <italic>pta</italic> cluster laid the foundation to decipher the genetic and biochemical mechanisms involved in the pathway.</p> </abstract>