Reconstitution of the Early Stage of Chetomin Biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus Leads to the Production of Epipolythiodioxopiperazines

Org Lett. 2024 May 31;26(21):4469-4474. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c01274. Epub 2024 May 20.

Abstract

Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and a microhomology-mediated end-joining repair system, we substituted genes of the gliotoxin pathway in Aspergillus fumigatus with genes responsible for chetomin biosynthesis from Chaetomium cochliodes, leading to the production of three new epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs). This work represents the first successful endeavor to produce ETPs in a non-native host. Additionally, the simultaneous disruption of five genes in a single transformation marks the most extensive gene knockout event in filamentous fungi to date.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus fumigatus* / genetics
  • Aspergillus fumigatus* / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Chaetomium / chemistry
  • Chaetomium / metabolism
  • Gliotoxin* / biosynthesis
  • Gliotoxin* / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Piperazines* / chemistry
  • Piperazines* / metabolism

Substances

  • Piperazines
  • Gliotoxin
  • epipolythiodiketopiperazine