Investigation of a 6‐MSA Synthase Gene Cluster in Aspergillus aculeatus Reveals 6‐MSA‐derived Aculinic Acid, Aculins A–B and Epi‐Aculin A. Issue 15 (16th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petersen, Lene M.; Holm, Dorte K.; Gotfredsen, Charlotte H.; Mortensen, Uffe H.; Larsen, Thomas O.
• Is Part Of: Chembiochem. Volume 16:Issue 15(2015)
• Page Start: 2200
• Page End: 2204
• Publication Date: 2015-09-16
• Subjects: Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4227

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Aspergillus aculeatus</italic>, a filamentous fungus belonging to the <italic>Aspergillus</italic> clade Nigri, is an industrial workhorse in enzyme production. Recently we reported a number of secondary metabolites from this fungus; however, its genetic potential for the production of secondary metabolites is vast. In this study we identified a 6‐methylsalicylic acid (6‐MSA) synthase from <italic>A. aculeatus</italic>, and verified its functionality by episomal expression in <italic>A. aculeatus</italic> and heterologous expression in <italic>A. nidulans</italic>. Feeding studies with fully ¹³C‐labeled 6‐MSA revealed that 6‐MSA is incorporated into aculinic acid, which further incorporates into three compounds that we name aculins A and B, and epi‐aculin A, described here for the first time. Based on NMR data and bioinformatic studies we propose the structures of the compounds as well as a biosynthetic pathway leading to formation of aculins from 6‐MSA.</p> </abstract>