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The Linear Arginoketides Neotetrafibricin A, B, and C have Algicidal and Signal Function in Microbial Interactions
Mario K C Krespach1, Maira Rosin1, Kirstin Scherlach2
1Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.
Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Linear arginoketides, like neotetrafibricin A from Streptomyces, kill soil microalgae and trigger fungal metabolite production. This reveals their role as inter-kingdom signals in diverse soil ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Soil microbiomes are highly diverse, with microbial interactions mediated by natural products.
- Arginoketides are specialized metabolites involved in these interactions.
- The impact of linear arginoketides on soil microalgae remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effect of linear arginoketides on soil microalgae.
- Identify the source and function of neotetrafibricin.
- Explore neotetrafibricin's role in inter-kingdom signaling.
Main Methods:
- Genome mining to identify the neotetrafibricin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC).
- Gene disruption in Streptomyces mashuensis to study neotetrafibricin production.
- Algicidal assays against Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
- Fungal co-culture experiments to assess induction of orsellinic acid production.
Main Results:
- Streptomyces mashuensis produces the linear arginoketide neotetrafibricin A.
- Neotetrafibricin A exhibits algicidal activity against Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
- Neotetrafibricin A induces orsellinic acid production in Aspergillus nidulans, indicating inter-kingdom signaling.
- Novel congener neotetrafibricin C was identified.
- Structure-activity relationship studies showed the terminal amino group and sugar moiety are not essential for activity.
Conclusions:
- Neotetrafibricin acts as an inter-kingdom signaling molecule between bacteria and fungi, and bacteria and microalgae.
- This study expands the known functions of linear arginoketides in soil microbial ecology.
- Neotetrafibricins show potential as multifunctional signaling compounds in terrestrial environments.
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