Microbial communication comes to Aspergillus fumigatus: Activation of a fungal silent secondary metabolite gene cluster by Streptomyces rapamycinicus

Ref ID: 18490

Author:

Claudia König
Kirstin Scherlach
Volker Schroeckh
Hans-Wilhelm Nützmann
Christian Hertweck
Axel A.
Brakhage

Author address:

Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany,  

Department of
Biomolecular Chemistry, Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany,  

Friedrich-Schiller-University

Full conference title:

11 th European Conference on Fungal Genetics

Abstract:

 
Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important air8208;borne human fungal pathogen. The genome of this filamentous
fungus exhibits far more gene clusters predicted to encode secondary metabolites than compounds known.
Because these unidentified metabolites could have important biological functions and possibly represent drug
candidates, it is desirable to activate their often silent biosyntheses.
Our aim was to mimic physiological conditions under which secondary metabolite gene clusters could be activated.
Previously, we demonstrated activation of a silent secondary metabolite gene cluster of Aspergillus nidulans by co8208;
cultivation with Streptomyces rapamycinicus which led to formation of orsellinic and lecanoric acid. Interestingly,
as shown here, the bacterium is also able to activate silent gene clusters in the human8208;pathogenic fungus
A. fumigatus. Co8208;culturing of A. fumigatus with this streptomycete triggered the specific activation of a so far silent
fungal secondary metabolite gene cluster leading to the production of a novel secondary metabolite.
Moreover, overexpression of a pathway8208;specific regulatory gene demonstrated its function as regulator of the
newly identified gene cluster that also includes a polyketide synthase gene.

Abstract Number: PR4.46

Conference Year: 2012

Link to conference website: http://www.ecfg.info/images/Abstract_Book_Electronic.pdf

New link: NULL

Conference abstracts, posters & presentations

Showing 10 posts of 17325 posts found.

  • Title

    Author

    Year

    Number

    Poster