Melleolides impact fungal translation via elongation factor 2

Org Biomol Chem. 2019 May 15;17(19):4906-4916. doi: 10.1039/c9ob00562e.

Abstract

Melleolides from the honey mushroom Armillaria mellea represent a structurally diverse group of polyketide-sesquiterpene hybrids. Among various bioactivites, melleolides show antifungal effects against Aspergillus and other fungi. This bioactivity depends on a Δ2,4-double bond present in dihydroarmillylorsellinate (DAO) or arnamial, for example. Yet, the mode of action of Δ2,4-unsaturated, antifungal melleolides has been unknown. Here, we report on the molecular target of DAO in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Using a combination of synthetic chemistry to create a DAO-labelled probe, protein pulldown assays, MALDI-TOF-based peptide analysis and western blotting, we identify the eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) as a binding partner of DAO. We confirm the inhibition of protein biosynthesis in vivo with an engineered A. nidulans strain producing the red fluorescent protein mCherry. Our work suggests a binding site dissimilar from that of the protein biosynthesis inhibitor sordarin, and highlights translational elongation as a valid antifungal drug target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Armillaria / drug effects*
  • Armillaria / genetics
  • Armillaria / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects*
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / metabolism*
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 2
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • melleolide D