Identification of a novel polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS-NRPS) gene required for the biosynthesis of cyclopiazonic acid in Aspergillus oryzae

Fungal Genet Biol. 2008 Dec;45(12):1608-15. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2008.09.006. Epub 2008 Sep 27.

Abstract

Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) is a mycotoxin produced by several strains of Penicillium and Aspergillus species. Aspergillus oryzae strains used in fermented foods do not produce CPA; however, several wild-type A. oryzae strains produce CPA. Here, we identified a novel polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS-NRPS) gene involved in CPA production by comparing the telomere-adjacent region of a CPA-producing strain (A. oryzae NBRC 4177) with that of a nonproducing strain (A. oryzae RIB40). NBRC 4177 has an additional 17-18-kb sequence beyond the region corresponding to the telomere repeat in RIB40 and this additional regions contains 3' region of the PKS-NRPS gene, while RIB40 has only the 5' region of the PKS-NRPS gene. Gene disruption of the PKS-NRPS gene in NBRC 4177 resulted in elimination of CPA production. Thus, the PKS-NRPS gene is required for CPA biosynthesis, and the truncation of this gene is presumed as one of the determinants of CPA nonproductivity in A. oryzae RIB40.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus oryzae / enzymology*
  • Aspergillus oryzae / genetics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genome, Fungal
  • Indoles / metabolism*
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Peptide Synthases / genetics*
  • Peptide Synthases / metabolism*
  • Polyketide Synthases / genetics*
  • Polyketide Synthases / metabolism*
  • Telomere

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Polyketide Synthases
  • Peptide Synthases
  • non-ribosomal peptide synthase
  • cyclopiazonic acid