CLM1 of Fusarium graminearum encodes a longiborneol synthase required for culmorin production

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2010 Jan;76(1):136-41. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02017-09. Epub 2009 Oct 30.

Abstract

Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen of cereal crops (e.g., wheat, barley, maize) and produces a number of mycotoxins, including 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, butenolide, zearalenone, and culmorin. To identify a biosynthetic gene for the culmorin pathway, an expressed-sequence-tag database was examined for terpene cyclase genes. A gene designated CLM1 was expressed under trichothecene-inducing conditions. Expression of CLM1 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) resulted in the production of a sesquiterpene alcohol, longiborneol, which has the same ring structure as culmorin. Gene disruption and add-back experiments in F. graminearum showed that CLM1 was required for culmorin biosynthesis. CLM1 gene disruptants were able to convert exogenously added longiborneol to culmorin. Longiborneol accumulated transiently in culmorin-producing strains. The results indicate that CLM1 encodes a longiborneol synthase and is required for culmorin biosynthesis in F. graminearum.

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Expressed Sequence Tags
  • Fusarium / enzymology*
  • Fusarium / genetics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Ligases / genetics
  • Ligases / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sesquiterpenes / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • culmorin
  • longiborneol
  • Ligases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/GU123140