Epigenetic modulation of secondary metabolite profiles in Aspergillus calidoustus and Aspergillus westerdijkiae through histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition by vorinostat

J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2020 Jun;73(6):410-413. doi: 10.1038/s41429-020-0286-5. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Abstract

The effects of epigenetic modulation on secondary metabolite biosynthesis were investigated with five Aspergillus species cultured in the presence of either the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine or the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat. With Aspergillus calidoustus and Aspergillus westerdijkiae, fermentation in the presence of vorinostat (100 μM) induced significant changes in secondary metabolite profile with examples of both induction and repression. We identified putative biosynthetic gene clusters for emericellamide in A. calidoustus and ochratoxin in A. westerdijkiae. A substantial induction in production levels was observed for two secondary metabolites: the diketopiperazine alkaloid phenylahistin in A. calidoustus and the polyketide penicillic acid in A. westerdijkiae, indicating the potential of epigenetic regulation for the activation of silent fungal biosynthetic pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus / metabolism*
  • Azacitidine / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Multigene Family
  • Secondary Metabolism / genetics
  • Vorinostat / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Vorinostat
  • Azacitidine