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Identification and role analysis of an intermediate produced by a polygenic mutant of Monascus pigments cluster in

Jiao Liu1, Youxiang Zhou2, Tao Yi1

  • 1College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|March 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a new intermediate, M7PKS-1, in the biosynthesis of Monascus pigments (Mps). This discovery provides a pathway to understanding the complex Monascus pigments production process.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolic Engineering

Background:

  • Monascus pigments (Mps) are valuable azaphilone metabolites produced by Monascus fungi.
  • Understanding the Mps biosynthesis pathway is crucial for optimizing pigment production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the light yellow pigment produced by a Monascus ruber M7 mutant (ΔMpigJ-R).
  • To elucidate the role of this pigment as an intermediate in Monascus pigment biosynthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis (DNA and RNA) of the Mps gene cluster in M. ruber M7.
  • Spectroscopic identification (FT-IR, NMR, MS) of the pigment.
  • Metabolic feeding experiments using sodium acetate-(13)C and the identified pigment.

Main Results:

  • The mutant ΔMpigJ-R lost eight genes from the Mps gene cluster.
  • The light yellow pigment was identified as 6-(4-hydroxy-2-oxopentyl)-3-methyl-2, 4-dioxocyclohexane carb-aldehyde (M7PKS-1).
  • M7PKS-1 is a polyketide pathway product and an initial intermediate that can restore Mps production in other mutants.

Conclusions:

  • M7PKS-1 is a key initial intermediate in Monascus pigment biosynthesis.
  • This finding offers a strategy for further unraveling the Monascus pigment pathway.
Keywords:
Biosynthesis pathwayMonascus pigmentMonascus ruberPigment intermediate

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