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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
17.9K
Evolution of polyketide synthesis in a Dothideomycete forest pathogen.
I Kutay Ozturk1, Pranav Chettri1, Pierre-Yves Dupont1
1Bio-Protection Research Centre, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.
Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|July 11, 2017
Summary
This study investigates two polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in the pine pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. Despite being under negative selection, these PKS genes may play crucial, yet undiscovered, roles in the fungus's life cycle.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Fungal Genetics
- Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis
Background:
- Fungal secondary metabolites, such as aflatoxin, are vital and genetically well-studied.
- Polyketide synthase (PKS) genes are key to understanding fungal biosynthetic potential.
- Dothistroma septosporum, a pine pathogen, possesses a limited number of PKS genes, including one for dothistromin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history and function of two specific PKS genes (DsPks1 and DsPks2) in Dothistroma septosporum.
- To determine the role of DsPks1 in melanin biosynthesis.
- To assess the conservation and selection pressures on these PKS genes across different D. septosporum populations.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of DsPks1 and DsPks2 gene clusters.
- Population genetic analyses of D. septosporum strains.
- Functional analysis of DsPks1 using mutant strains to assess melanin production.
Main Results:
- DsPks1 and its gene cluster are conserved in related fungi, while DsPks2 appears novel.
- Contrary to predictions, DsPks1 mutants did not affect DHN melanin production; D. septosporum primarily produces DOPA melanin via a PKS-independent pathway.
- Both DsPks1 and DsPks2 core genes are under negative selection globally, indicating functional importance.
Conclusions:
- The precise roles of DsPks1 and DsPks2 in D. septosporum remain unknown.
- The negative selection suggests these PKS genes have essential, potentially cryptic, functions in planta.
- The study highlights the complexity of fungal secondary metabolism and the need for further investigation into PKS gene functions.
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