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Article
Probing Labdane-Related Diterpenoid Biosynthesis in the Fungal Genus Aspergillus
Journal of Natural Products
  • Meimei Xu, Iowa State University
  • Matthew L. Hillwig, Iowa State University
  • Mollie S. Tiernan, Iowa State University
  • Reuben J. Peters, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2017
DOI
10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00764
Abstract

While terpenoid production is generally associated with plants, a variety of fungi contain operons predicted to lead to such biosynthesis. Notably, fungi contain a number of cyclases characteristic of labdane-related diterpenoid metabolism, which have not been much explored. These also are often found near cytochrome P450 (CYP) mono-oxygenases that presumably further decorate the ensuing diterpene, suggesting that these fungi might produce more elaborate diterpenoids. To probe the functional diversity of such biosynthetic capacity, an investigation of the phylogenetically diverse cyclases and associated CYPs from the fungal genus Aspergillus was undertaken, revealing their ability to produce isopimaradiene-derived diterpenoids. Intriguingly, labdane-related diterpenoid biosynthetic genes are largely found in plant-associated fungi, hinting that these natural products may play a role in such interactions. Accordingly, it is hypothesized here that isopimarane production may assist the plant-saprophytic lifestyle of Aspergillus fungi.

Comments

Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Probing Labdane-Related Diterpenoid Biosynthesis in the Fungal Genus Aspergillus. Meimei Xu, Matthew L. Hillwig, Mollie S. Tiernan, and Reuben J. Peters. Journal of Natural Products 2017 80 (2), 328-333. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00764. Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society.

Copyright Owner
American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Meimei Xu, Matthew L. Hillwig, Mollie S. Tiernan and Reuben J. Peters. "Probing Labdane-Related Diterpenoid Biosynthesis in the Fungal Genus Aspergillus" Journal of Natural Products Vol. 80 Iss. 2 (2017) p. 328 - 333
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/reuben_peters/29/