Mind the mushroom: natural product biosynthetic genes and enzymes of Basidiomycota

Nat Prod Rep. 2021 Apr 28;38(4):702-722. doi: 10.1039/d0np00077a.

Abstract

Covering: up to September 2020 Mushroom-forming fungi of the division Basidiomycota have traditionally been recognised as prolific producers of structurally diverse and often bioactive secondary metabolites, using the methods of chemistry for research. Over the past decade, -omics technologies were applied on these fungi, and sophisticated heterologous gene expression platforms emerged, which have boosted research into the genetic and biochemical basis of the biosyntheses. This review provides an overview on experimentally confirmed natural product biosyntheses of basidiomycete polyketides, amino acid-derived products, terpenoids, and volatiles. We also present challenges and solutions particular to natural product research with these fungi. 222 references are cited.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basidiomycota / enzymology
  • Basidiomycota / genetics*
  • Basidiomycota / metabolism
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics