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From a Natural Product to Its Biosynthetic Gene Cluster: A Demonstration Using Polyketomycin from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes Tü6028
Published on: January 13, 2017
Biosynthetic gene clusters for epipolythiodioxopiperazines in filamentous fungi
Ellen M Fox1, Barbara J Howlett
1School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia. e.fox@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
Abstract:
Epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs) are toxic secondary metabolites made only by fungi. Recent research efforts have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms of the toxicity of these compounds. The availability of complete genome sequences for many fungi has also facilitated the identification of putative ETP biosynthetic gene clusters. Expression and mutational analyses have confirmed the role of such gene clusters in the biosynthesis of two ETPs, sirodesmin PL and gliotoxin. The creation of mutants unable to produce these ETPs has facilitated the assessment of these molecules as virulence factors in interactions between pathogenic fungi and their hosts.
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