Identification and Characterization of a Cryptic Bifunctional Type I Diterpene Synthase Involved in Talaronoid...

We report the identification of the tnd biosynthetic cluster from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavipes and the in vivo characterization of a cryptic type I diterpene synthase. The heterologous expression of the bifunctional terpene synthase led to the discovery of a diterpene backbone, talarodiene, harboring a benzo[a]cyclopenta[d]cyclooctane tricyclic fused ring system. The conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to talarodiene was investigated using ¹³C-labeling studies, and stable isotope tracer experiments showed the biotransformation of talarodiene into talaronoid C.