Abstract
Chaetomium globosum is one of the most common fungi in nature. It is best known for producing chaetoglobosins; however, the molecular basis of chaetoglobosin biosynthesis is poorly understood in this fungus. In this study, we utilized RNA interference (RNAi) to characterize a polyketide synthase gene, pks-1, in C. globosum that is involved in the production of chaetoglobosin A. When pks-1 was knocked down by RNAi, the production of chaetoglobosin A dramatically decreased. Knock-down mutants also displayed a pigment-deficient phenotype. These results suggest that the two polyketides, melanin and chaetoglobosin, are likely to share common biosynthetic steps. Most importantly, we found that pks-1 also plays a critical role in sporulation. The silenced mutants of pks-1 lost the ability to produce spores. We propose that polyketides may modulate cellular development via an unidentified action. We also suggest that C. globosum pks-1 is unique because of its triple role in melanin formation, chaetoglobosin biosynthesis and sporulation. This work may shed light on chaetoglobosin biosynthesis and indicates a relationship between secondary metabolism and fungal morphogenesis.
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Hu, Y., Hao, X., Lou, J. et al. A PKS gene, pks-1, is involved in chaetoglobosin biosynthesis, pigmentation and sporulation in Chaetomium globosum. Sci. China Life Sci. 55, 1100–1108 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-012-4409-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-012-4409-5