Terrein Biosynthesis in Aspergillus terreus and Its Impact on Phytotoxicity

Zaehle, Christoph; Gressler, Markus; Shelest, Ekaterina; Geib, Elena; Hertweck, Christian; Brock, Matthias

Abstract

Terrein is a fungal metabolite with ecological, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antioxidative activities. Although it is produced by Aspergillus terreus as one of its major secondary metabolites, not much is known about its biosynthetic pathway. Here, we describe an unexpected discovery of the terrein biosynthesis gene locus made while we were looking for a PKS gene involved in production of conidia coloration pigments common for Aspergilli. The gene, ATEG_00145, here named terA, is essential for terrein biosynthesis and heterologous production of TerA in Aspergillus niger revealed an unusual plasticity in the products formed, yielding a mixture of 4-hydroxy-6-methylpyranone, orsellinic acid, and 6,7-dihydroxymellein. Biochemical and molecular genetic analyses indicate a low extension cycle specificity of TerA. Furthermore, 6-hydroxymellein was identified as a key intermediate in terrein biosynthesis. We find that terrein production is highly induced on plant-derived media, that terrein has phytotoxic activity on plant growth, and induces lesions on fruit surfaces.

Citation

Zaehle, C., Gressler, M., Shelest, E., Geib, E., Hertweck, C., & Brock, M. (2014). Terrein Biosynthesis in Aspergillus terreus and Its Impact on Phytotoxicity. Cell Chemistry Biology, 21(6), 719-731. doi:10.1016/j.chembiol.2014.03.010

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 26, 2014
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2014
• Publication Date: Jun 19, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jan 21, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 14, 2019
• Journal: Chemistry & Biology
• Print ISSN: 1074-5521
• Publisher: Elsevier (Cell Press)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 719-731
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2014.03.010
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1104651
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074552114001227?via%3Dihub
• PMID: 24816227