Advances and perspectives on perylenequinone biosynthesis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Mycology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fungal perylenequinones (PQs) are secondary metabolites with photosensitizing properties.
• PQs react with oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce apoptosis.
• This characteristic has led to their application in pharmaceuticals, driving research for new PQs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on microbial perylenequinones (PQs) from April 1967 to September 2022.
• To consolidate information on PQ sources, structures, biological activities, and biosynthetic pathways.
• To explore advances in PQ pathway engineering and future production strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific articles on perylenequinones.
• Categorization of findings into three main sections: sources/activities, biosynthesis, and engineering.
• Analysis of research trends and future prospects in PQ discovery and production.

Main Results:

• PQs exhibit diverse structures and biological activities across various microbial sources.
• Significant progress has been made in elucidating PQ biosynthetic pathways, genes, and regulatory mechanisms.
• Pathway engineering approaches show potential for improving PQ production and cellular metabolism.

Conclusions:

• PQs are valuable photosensitizers with diverse applications, particularly in pharmaceuticals.
• Understanding PQ biosynthesis is crucial for discovering new compounds and optimizing production.
• Metabolic engineering offers promising strategies for enhancing PQ yields and exploring novel applications.