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A transcribed polyketide synthase gene from Xanthoria elegans.

Georg Brunauer1, Lucia Muggia, Elfie Stocker-Wörgötter

  • 1Department of Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. georg.brunauer@sbg.ac.at

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|September 30, 2008
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We identified the first full-length coding sequence of a lichen polyketide synthase gene (PKS). This finding advances our understanding of lichen anthraquinone biosynthesis and demonstrates the utility of SMART RACE for gene discovery.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Lichen secondary metabolites, such as anthraquinones, are crucial for ecological interactions.
  • Polyketide synthases (PKS) are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of these compounds.
  • Characterizing PKS genes in lichen-forming fungi (mycobionts) is essential for understanding metabolic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the transcript of a polyketide synthase gene (PKS) from the cultured mycobiont of Xanthoria elegans (XePKS1).
  • To investigate the phylogenetic relationship of XePKS1 to other fungal PKS genes.
  • To explore the potential role of XePKS1 in anthraquinone biosynthesis within the lichen.

Main Methods:

  • SMART-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was employed for cDNA synthesis and transcript characterization.
  • Sequence analysis identified the open reading frame and functional domains of the XePKS1 gene.
  • Degenerate PCR, HPLC, and TLC were used to detect gene paralogues and analyze metabolic products.

Main Results:

  • The XePKS1 gene encodes a non-reducing fungal type I PKS with conserved functional domains.
  • XePKS1 was the sole PKS paralogue detected in the cultured X. elegans mycobiont.
  • HPLC and TLC analyses confirmed the exclusive production of anthraquinones and precursors by the mycobiont.

Conclusions:

  • The characterized XePKS1 gene is phylogenetically basal to known anthraquinone and dihydroxynaphthalene synthases.
  • The study suggests XePKS1 may be involved in lichen anthraquinone production, hinting at a paraphyletic origin of this biosynthesis.
  • SMART RACE is validated as an effective method for obtaining full-length gene sequences from challenging environmental samples.