Genome Mining and Biosynthesis of Fungal Africane-Type Sesquiterpenes

Africane-type sesquiterpenes are a growing family of natural products featuring a stereochemically complex 5/7/3 tricyclic skeleton, and their biosynthesis has not been well-investigated in fungi. Here, (1) an africanol (1) sesquiterpene cyclase was discovered by genome mining; (2) two cytochrome P450s were identified for conversion of compound 1 to ophioceric acid (3) via formation of α,β-unsaturated ketone cyclopentane and a C14-carboxyl group; and (3) compound 3 is a phytotoxin that inhibits root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana.