An unusual chimeric diterpene synthase from Emericella variecolor and its functional conversion into a sesterterpene synthase by domain swapping

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Bin Qin
  • Takahiro Mori
  • Masahiro Okada
  • Zhiyang Quan
  • Takaaki Mitsuhashi
  • Toshiyuki Wakimoto
  • Ikuro Abe

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1658-1661
Journal / PublicationAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume55
Issue number5
Online published6 Nov 2015
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Di- and sesterterpene synthases produce C20 and C25 isoprenoid scaffolds from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and geranylfarnesyl pyrophosphate (GFPP), respectively. By genome mining of the fungus Emericella variecolor, we identified a multitasking chimeric terpene synthase, EvVS, which has terpene cyclase (TC) and prenyltransferase (PT) domains. Heterologous gene expression in Aspergillus oryzae led to the isolation of variediene (1), a novel tricyclic diterpene hydrocarbon. Intriguingly, in vitro reaction with the enzyme afforded the new macrocyclic sesterterpene 2 as a minor product from dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). The TC domain thus produces the diterpene 1 and the sesterterpene 2 from GGPP and GFPP, respectively. Notably, a domain swap of the PT domain of EvVS with that of another chimeric sesterterpene synthase, EvSS, successfully resulted in the production of 2 in vivo as well. Cyclization mechanisms for the production of these two compounds are proposed.

Research Area(s)

  • biosynthesis, domain swapping, prenyltransferases, sesterterpenoids, terpene cyclases

Citation Format(s)

An unusual chimeric diterpene synthase from Emericella variecolor and its functional conversion into a sesterterpene synthase by domain swapping. / Qin, Bin; Matsuda, Yudai; Mori, Takahiro et al.
In: Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, Vol. 55, No. 5, 26.01.2016, p. 1658-1661.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review