Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: The communesins are a prominent class of indole alkaloids isolated from Penicillium species. Owing to their daunting structural framework and potential as pharmaceuticals, communesins have inspired numerous synthetic studies. However, the genetic and biochemical basis of communesin biosynthesis has remained unexplored. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of the communesin (cns) biosynthetic gene cluster from Penicillium expansum. We confirmed that communesin is biosynthesized by the coupling of tryptamine and aurantioclavine, two building blocks derived from L-tryptophan. The postmodification steps were mapped by targeted-gene-deletion experiments and the structural elucidation of intermediates and new analogues. Our studies set the stage for the biochemical characterization of communesin biosynthesis. This knowledge will aid our understanding of how nature generates remarkable structural complexity from simple precursors.
Authors: Hsiao‐Ching Lin, Grace Chiou, Yit‐Heng Chooi, Travis C. McMahon, Wei Xu, Neil K. Garg, Yi Tang
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: National Science Foundation, National Science Council, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Chemistry
Awards: Acquisition of Upgraded NMR Instrumentation for Chemistry Research, Education and Training, G1661892572, G2040174267, G2072215212, G2653733961, Rediscovering Natural Chemical Diversity, G401885085, Biosynthesis of Antifungal Lipopeptides from Filamentous Fungi, G7435049567, G7842861051, GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, G8169342994, G845586035, G863947390, G910930967
OpenAlex ID: W2129979571