Abstract
Fungal secondary metabolism is often considered apart from the essential housekeeping functions of the cell. However, there are clear links between fundamental cellular metabolism and the biochemical pathways leading to secondary metabolite synthesis. Besides utilizing key biochemical precursors shared with the most essential processes of the cell (e.g., amino acids, acetyl CoA, NADPH), enzymes for secondary metabolite synthesis are compartmentalized at conserved subcellular sites that position pathway enzymes to use these common biochemical precursors. Co-compartmentalization of secondary metabolism pathway enzymes also may function to channel precursors, promote pathway efficiency and sequester pathway intermediates and products from the rest of the cell. In this review we discuss the compartmentalization of three well-studied fungal secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways for penicillin G, aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol, and summarize evidence used to infer subcellular localization. We also discuss how these metabolites potentially are trafficked within the cell and may be exported.
Introduction
Filamentous fungi produce a diverse range of low molecular mass natural products (NPs) often associated with unique bioactive properties. Prominent among these fungal secondary metabolites (SMs) are compounds beneficial to human society such as antibiotics, pigments, fragrances or pharmaceuticals (Demain, ). Conversely, some fungal SMs have had marked negative impact on food safety and human health in the form of mycotoxins or molecules potentiating fungal pathogenesis. Fungal SMs are structurally diverse and principally categorized as polyketides, terpenoids, alkaloids or small non-ribosomal peptides (Keller et al., ). Recent progress in large scale DNA sequencing from a wide range of filamentous fungi has led to the discovery that fungal genomes possess a broad genetic potential to produce SMs. A remarkably large number of enzymes that produce SMs—polyketides synthases (PKSs), non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs) and terpene synthases (TSs)—have been described, often as part of biosynthetic gene clusters predicted to be responsible for the synthesis of one or more NP (e.g., Nierman et al., ; Wiemann et al., ). However, the NPs synthesized by these predicted gene clusters are mostly unknown. Even the environmental conditions under which many of these cryptic SM gene clusters may be expressed has yet to be determined (Wiemann and Keller, ).
While knowledge of the enzymology and genetics of fungal SM production has advanced greatly in recent years, scant information is available on the cell biology of their biosynthesis. Where are SM compounds assembled within the cell? Since pathways for fungal primary and secondary metabolism often draw upon the same chemical starting materials, how do cells channel and apportion the supply of shared molecular precursors to primary and secondary metabolic pathways? The answer to these questions will require greater understanding of the cellular and developmental processes that define the fungal metabolome.
For this review we have chosen three well studied SMs synthesized by separate fungal species: penicillin G produced by Penicillium chrysogenum, aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus parasiticus and deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by Fusarium graminearum. Each compound represents a separate class of fungal NPs: peptide (penicillin), polyketide (aflatoxin) or terpene (DON). Each pathway for biosynthesis of these SMs involves enzymes targeted to multiple subcellular locations. Genetically engineering fungi so that enzymes for SMs may be physically co-localized or localized to particular organelles can have significant impact on flux through pathways and ultimate biosynthetic yield of NPs (Albertsen et al., ; Herr and Fischer, ). Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that evolutionary forces may have shaped the expression and regulation of fungal NP output by directing subcellular localization of SM biosynthetic enzymes.
Our goal is to summarize evidence for the subcellular location of enzymes and transporters associated with the biosynthesis of the three featured NPs. We also will summarize the types of evidence used to establish each cellular location. One difficulty for such localization studies is that the examined proteins likely are translocated within the cell as part of their normal synthesis, maturation and ultimate turn-over. Early on, proteins will be localized to ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where they are synthesized and modified whereas, with time, defective or aged proteins ultimately may be targeted to the vacuole or proteasome for proteolysis. Deciding on the subcellular location of a catalytically active protein therefore requires judgment and may be inferred based on the timing of peak enzyme activity or NP accumulation or by co-purification of organelles with active enzymes.
Cytosol
Determining whether an enzyme is located in the fungal cytosol often has been a process of elimination. For example, if no discernible localization pattern within the cell is detected using electron microscopic immunolocalization (e.g., Lee et al., ) a cytoplasmic location may be inferred. Likewise if fluorescently tagged proteins demonstrate little or no selectivity for cellular location (e.g., Hong and Linz, ), a protein may be inferred to be cytoplasmic. Fractionation of cellular lysates by centrifugation is another approach; proteins that remain soluble upon high speed centrifugation may be deemed cytoplasmic (e.g., van der Lende et al., ). In support of these direct observations are bioinformatic tools. If a protein lacks a predicted transit peptide leader sequence suggestive of secretion, has no predicted membrane anchoring or multiple transmembrane domains indicative of integral membrane proteins or lacks other amino acid motifs suggesting localization to particular organelles, the protein in question may be cytosolic.
These approaches to determining cytosolic localization are illustrated by studies of enzymes involved in the first two steps of penicillin synthesis in P. chrysogenum: δ-(L-α-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS) and isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS). Transmission electron microscopy coupled with immunogold labeling of either ACVS or IPNS under penicillin producing conditions seems to show non-specific dispersal of electron dense gold particles throughout hyphal cross sections although largely excluded from vacuoles (van der Lende et al., ). Moreover, western blot analysis of the pellet vs. supernatant of high speed ultracentrifugation of cell lysates suggests enrichment for ACVS and INS in the soluble fraction compared to the pelleted (100,000 × g) fraction. Van der Lende. argue from these observations (and the alkaline pH optimum for ACVS activity) that both enzymes are likely cytosolic and unlikely to be functional within the acidic vacuolar lumen. By this assertion they refute the findings of Lendenfeld et al. () who, by density gradient centrifugation and gel filtration, found that ACVS (but not IPNS) co-purified with biochemical markers for the vacuole and apart from an enzymatic marker for the cytoplasm (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Van der Lende et al. suggest that ACVS is likely in an inactive form while in the vacuole; yet the relative activity of cytosolic and vacuolar ACVS was not directly measured in either study. We and others (Lim and Keller, ) consider the results of these localization studies equivocal and further work is warranted. Nevertheless, it is perhaps naïve to assert that ACVS must exist solely in a single cellular location. It is possible that the enzyme is cytoplasmic with an affinity for association with the outer surface of the vacuolar membrane, as suggested by Lendenfeld et al. (), and so may be found in both free cytosolic and vacuole associated forms (Figure 1A).
Figure 1
Cytosolic enzymes may be re-directed to other subcellular locations upon induction of SM biosynthesis. Several enzymes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway including Nor-1, Ver-1 and Vbs initially were proposed to be cytoplasmic based on their immunodetection by transmission electron microscopy (Chiou et al., ; Lee et al., ) and distribution based on fluorescent protein tagging (Hong and Linz, , ) (Figure 1B). Further work using fractionation of cell lysates as well as genetic and biochemical inhibitors now suggest that these proteins additionally may be found in small vesicular bodies within the cytoplasm (Chanda et al., ,; Roze et al., ). Cytoplasm to vacuole transport may play a role in movement of cytoplasmic enzymes to the subcellular location where they are presumably active. Repositioning of Nor-1, Ver-1, and OmtA from the cytosol to vesicles is correlated with the timing of aflatoxin biosynthesis and protein modifications indicative of cytoplasm to vacuole transport (CVT) (Lee et al., ; Hong and Linz, , ; Roze et al., ; Linz et al., ). Aflatoxin biosynthetic enzyme Vbs is also thought to move from the cytoplasm to vesicles via the ER-Golgi secretory pathway during aflatoxin biosynthesis (Chiou et al., ). Further evidence for the localization of these enzymes in vesicles will be discussed below.
To date no enzymes involved in trichothecene biosynthesis have been definitively localized to the cytoplasm (Figure 1C). Nevertheless, based on their physical properties and structure both trichodiene synthase (Rynkiewicz et al., ) and trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase (Garvey et al., ) might be expected to be cytosolic proteins. Investigations to determine their cellular localization using fluorescent protein tagging are underway (Broz, unpublished).
Peroxisomes
Peroxisomes are organelles specialized for both anabolic and catabolic metabolism in fungi and most other eukaryotic organisms. As their name implies, they are the cellular location for generation of hydrogen peroxide and its turnover by the enzyme catalase, as well as the site of other enzymes involved in the conversion of reactive oxygen species to less toxic compounds. These organelles thus may provide protection to the cell by sequestering these potentially toxic metabolites. Peroxisomes also are the site of acetyl CoA generation by β-oxidation of fatty acids and contain the enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase specific to the glyoxylate cycle for the capture of acetyl CoA for gluconeogenesis or to provide intermediates for the TCA cycle within mitochondria (van der Klei and Veenhuis, ). Peroxisomes have been imaged by appending peroxisomal targeting sequences (such as the amino acids -SKL) to the C-terminus of fluorescent proteins (e.g., Meijer et al., ) or by tagging integral membrane proteins of the peroxisome such as PEX3 (e.g., Menke et al., ; Figure 2).
Figure 2
The final enzymatic steps of penicillin synthesis in P. chrysogenum occur within the peroxisome (Figure 1A). The enzyme isopenicillin N-acyltransferase (IAT) converts isopenicillin N (IPN) to penicillin G by exchange of the α-amino adipyl side chain of IPN with CoA-activated phenylacetic acid (van der Klei and Veenhuis,
The enzyme responsible for transfer of CoA to phenylacetic acid is phenylacetyl CoA ligase (or PCL) that catalyzes the penultimate step in penicillin biosynthesis; this enzyme also may be localized to peroxisomes. PCL labeled at the N-terminus with cyan fluorescent protein co-localized with yellow fluorescent protein labeled IAT in dual tagged strains of P. chrysogenum (Koetsier et al.,
In addition to the enzymes of the penicillin biosynthetic pathway, two predicted peroxisome membrane associated proteins have been implicated in penicillin G synthesis in P. chrysogenum (Figure 1A). PaaT protein has been linked to phenylacetic acid transport and PenM protein associated with IPN uptake at the peroxisome membrane (Fernández-Aguado et al.,
A case also has been made for peroxisomes as the site for the initial steps of aflatoxin biosynthesis (Roze et al.,
Peroxisomes also generate acetyl CoA via β-oxidation that normally may be used to fuel the glyoxylate cycle and the anabolic pathway to gluconeogenesis. Alternatively, peroxisomal acetyl CoA may be used as a shared precursor for aflatoxin (polyketide) synthesis. Indeed, Maggio-Hall et al. (
Peroxisomes are not known to be important for trichothecene biosynthesis in F. graminearum and have been shown to be distinct from the “toxisome” itself (Menke et al.,
Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a conserved organelle of eukaryotic cells consisting of a double membrane structure. Its membranous network may be found throughout the cell but is most closely associated with nuclei since it adjoins the nuclear membrane (perinuclear ER). The ER is highly dynamic and also may form tubular or reticulate structures within the cell often more highly concentrated toward the hyphal tip and septa (Maruyama et al.,
SM biosynthetic enzymes may pass through the ER-Golgi for modification before reaching their final subcellular destination. Vbs, an enzyme in the middle of the aflatoxin pathway, is glycosylated at the N-terminus and has been shown to localize to the ER as well as the cytoplasm (Chiou et al.,
The synthesis of trichothecene and other terpene secondary metabolites in fungi utilizes farnesyl diphosphate, the product of the ER-localized mevalonate pathway (Koning et al.,
Strong induction of trichothecene mycotoxins in the fungus F. graminearum is accompanied by a remarkable shift in the pattern of HMG CoA reductase localization in fluorescently tagged strains (Figure 3). While initially fluorescence is found throughout the cell in structures consistent with peripheral and perinuclear ER, after induction fluorescence shifts to numerous intensely fluorescent spherical structures that are asymmetrically labeled at their periphery. These structures appear similar to lamellar proliferations of the perinuclear ER similar to “karmellae” observed in yeast by Koning et al. (
Figure 3

Vacuoles, the ER and toxisomes in F. graminearum. Organelles are visualized in a strain of F. graminearum having a GFP-tagged HMG CoA reductase and a TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase. (A) Strain grown in minimal medium which does not induce trichothecene synthesis. (Left to right) Hypha visualized using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy; GFP fluorescence showing HMG CoA reductase consistent with localization to reticulate and perinuclear ER; CMAC fluorescence used to visualize vacuoles; combined GFP and CMAC fluorescence showing both ER and vacuoles. Bar = 10 μm. (B) Strain grown in medium which induces trichothecene synthesis. (Left to right) Hypha visualized using DIC; TagRFP-T florescence showing trichodiene oxygenase within the membrane of spherical toxisomes; GFP fluorescence showing HMG CoA reductase within the membrane of spherical toxisomes; CMAC fluorescence used to visualize vacuoles; combined GFP, RS-Red and CMAC fluorescence showing co-localization of HMG CoA reductase and trichodiene oxygenase in toxisomes and vacuoles. Bar = 5 μm. (Note that the TagRFP-T tagged trichodiene oxygenase is expressed only under toxin inducing conditions). Results presented in Menke et al. (
Two inducible cytochrome P-450 oxygenases responsible for catalyzing early and late steps in the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway also localize to ~3 μm spherical structures (Figure 4). Both trichodiene oxygenase (Tri4p) and calonectrin oxygenase (Tri1p) contain single predicted membrane anchor sequences and co-localize with each other and to the membrane of structures containing Hmg CoA reductase under inducing conditions (Menke et al.,
Figure 4

Co-localization of trichothecene biosynthetic enzymes calonectrin oxygenase and trichodiene oxygenase in toxigenic cells. Toxisomes are visualized in a strain of F. graminearum having a GFP-tagged calonectrin oxygenase and a TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase. (A) Toxigenic cells visualized using DIC microscopy. Note swollen cells with prominent vacuoles; (B) TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase fluorescence at the periphery of toxisomes; (C) GFP calonectrin oxygenase fluorescence at the periphery of toxisomes; (D) combined GFP and TagRFP-T florescence showing toxisome co-localization. Results presented in Menke et al. (
The three enzymes of the toxisome show the identical asymmetrical pattern of localization suggesting that regions of the membrane may be specialized for particular biosynthetic pathways as in yeast (Koning et al.,
The vacuole
Vacuoles are multifunctional acidified organelles most often associated with storage and protein turnover, but increasingly recognized as the site of specialized biosynthetic processes. Vacuolar systems may be highly dynamic and can differ dependent upon the age of hyphae, hyphal function, and growth conditions (Shoji et al.,
The P. chrysogenum protein PenVp has been suggested to be an integral membrane protein of the vacuole facilitating penicillin G biosynthesis (Fernández-Aguado et al.,
The Aspergillus gene Ver-1encodes a NADPH dependent reductase catalyzing the reaction converting versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin, a step toward the middle of the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. Based on fluorescent protein tagging of the Ver-1 protein Hong and Linz (
Likewise, the predicted integral membrane protein and trichothecene transporter, Tri12p has been demonstrated by GFP-tagging to localize to the vacuolar lumen. However, the vacuolar form of the protein may represent a degraded state since the predicted membrane associated protein (and presumed functional form) is present in the plasma membrane and in small motile vesicles (Menke et al.,
Vesicles, vesicle traffic and intracellular transport
Vesicles are small, membrane delimited organelles specialized for intracellular transport. Several different types of transport vesicles exist within fungal cells, each having different composition, biogenesis, means for translocation and function (Shoji et al.,
Aflatoxin and aflatoxin biosynthetic enzyme activity in A. parasiticus were localized to a membrane rich fraction (the “V fraction”) of cell lysates derived from protoplasts resulting from cultures induced to synthesize aflatoxin (Chanda et al.,
The proteome of the V fraction obtained from aflatoxin induced cells indeed contains many, but not all, of the enzymes of the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. Nevertheless, the fraction also is made up of a complex mixture of proteins including those associated with peroxisomes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, Woronin body protein), the ER (calnexin), and mitochondria (F1 ATPase). Biochemical assays of the V fraction for the presence of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic enzymes were negative (Chanda et al.,
In support of this interpretation, a variety of microscopic, genetic and biochemical data have been presented. Cells induced to produce aflatoxin have an increased ratio of small vesicles (<2.5 μm) to vacuoles (≥2.5 μm) compared to non-induced cultures as determined using light microscopy (Chanda et al.,
The plasma membrane and beyond: transporters, metabolite traffic and export
How fungal cells transport secondary metabolites between cellular compartments or facilitate export remains largely unknown. Gene clusters for the synthesis of secondary metabolites typically encode predicted transporter proteins especially major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters (Coleman and Mylonakis,
Industrial strains of P. chrysogenum can accumulate up to 50 g l−1 penicillin in batch culture yet the mechanism by which the compound, produced within the peroxisome, is exported from the organelle and from the cell, remains to be fully explained (Martín et al.,
Aspergillus parasiticus contains a predicted MFS transporter within the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster (Yu et al.,
Upon induction to produce aflatoxin, vesicles may be detected within A. parasiticus cells as observed by fluorescent light microscopy using dyes FUN-1, MDY-64, and CMAC and show repositioning such that they are adjacent to the plasma membrane. Remarkably these vesicles also appear to transit the membrane and cell wall, forming vesicular structures outside of the cell (Figure 5). Fluorescent antibodies toward aflatoxin and norsolorinic acid indicate accumulation of these compounds in discrete patches at the hyphal surface. These results have been explained by proposing that exocytosis of aflatoxisomes allows for export of both toxin and toxin biosynthetic enzymes (Chanda et al.,
Figure 5

Export vesicles and localized secretion of aflatoxin and norsolorinic acid. Toxigenic cells of A. parasiticus. (A) Visualized using bright-field microscopy, toxigenic cells show pronounced extracellular protuberances (arrows). (B) Similar toxigenic cells treated with the fluorescent vital dye FUN-1 visualizing orange extracellular bodies (arrows) normally associated with cylindrical intravacuolar structures (Millard et al.,
The trichothecene biosynthetic gene cluster of F. sporotrichioides and F. graminearum each contain a gene (Tri12) encoding a predicted 14-membrane spanning domain MFS transporter associated with trichothecene synthesis and resistance (Alexander et al.,
In F. sporotrichioides, disruption of the Tri12 gene resulted in a 97% reduction in the trichothecene accumulation compared to wild type (Alexander et al.,
Although the cellular localization of Tri12p from F. sporotrichioides has not been determined, in F. graminearum, GFP-tagged Tri12p largely localizes to the plasma membrane (Menke et al.,
Figure 6

Interaction between toxisomes and motile Tri12p containing vesicles. Toxisomes, vacuoles and motile vesicles are visualized in a strain of F. graminearum having a GFP-tagged Tri12p and a TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase. (A) Hyphae visualized using DIC microscopy. (B) TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase fluorescence at the periphery of toxisomes. (C) GFP-tagged Tri12p localizes to vacuoles and smaller motile vesicles (see also Supplemental Video S2). (D) Overlay of B and C showing alternate arrangement of vacuoles and toxisomes. Bar = 10 μM. (E) Closer view of (left to right) TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase, GFP-tagged Tri12p and overlay. Bar = 5 μm. Note transient co-localization of motile vesicle and toxisome (arrow). Movement of Tri12p vesicles between the toxisome and vacuole as well as fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane and vacuoles are illustrated in the Supplemental Video S2. Results presented in Menke et al. (
The processes of (1) trichothecene biosynthesis and (2) trichothecene traffic and export thus may involve different cellular compartments. We have proposed a model (Figure 1C) whereby the synthesis of trichothecenes occurs in a spherical structure made up of repatterned ER (toxisomes) while the transport of trichothecenes occurs by motile structures arising from endosomes. The toxisomes may play a part in sequestration of the trichothecene product and intermediates, thus protecting the cell from their toxic activity and promoting pathway efficiency. The Tri12p system may allow for the accumulation of trichothecenes within acidified vesicles and transport to the vacuole or plasma membrane for storage within the vacuole or export via exocytosis. As in the case of aflatoxisomes, the exact mechanism by which exocytosis may occur is currently unknown.
Summary and future directions
Based on the three examples of cellular compartmentalization examined in this review, each has a separate developmental pattern associated with localization of their unique SM pathways. The enzymatic components of the penicillin, aflatoxin and trichothecene pathways are variously localized to peroxisomes, endosomes, the cytosol, the ER or perhaps more specialized vesicular structures.
In each case, induction results in clear cytological repatterning reflective of their subcellular specialization for SM biosynthesis. Intact peroxisomes are important for synthesis of penicillin G in P. chrysogenum and conditions that induce penicillin synthesis increase the number of peroxisomes per cell (Meijer et al.,
In the future, studies should concentrate on whether the compartmentalization of biosynthetic pathways, represented in this review by examples of peptide, polyketide and terpene compounds, are part of conserved evolutionary adaptations for synthesis of these compound classes (Figure 1). For example, are all fungal polyketides produced within small, endosome related, vesicular structures like aflatoxisomes? Are all fungal terpene secondary metabolites produced within ER related structures like the Fusarium toxisomes? Each exemplifies an adaptation of the preexisting machinery of primary metabolism for the more specialized task of synthesis, traffic and export of secondary metabolites. Additionally, are terpene SMs like trichothecenes produced within the same structures as terpene primary metabolites such as sterols? Both the fungal sterol and trichothecene biosynthetic pathways carry out oxygenation reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 oxygenases. Is there a common site within the ER for all cytochrome P-450s? Each might be expected to share a common NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase and rely upon the electrochemical gradient across the ER membrane.
Co-compartmentalization of SM biosynthetic enzymes might be expected to allow certain types of selective advantage. Co-localization of consecutive enzymes in a SM biosynthetic pathway may promote pathway efficiency through proximity. Localization to the site where pathway precursor metabolites also occur may serve to channel metabolites toward SM synthesis. For example, both polyketides and terpenes ultimately are derived from acetyl CoA, but acetyl CoA may be synthesized in several locations within the cell, for example, as a result of β-oxidation of fatty acids in mitochondria or in peroxisomes or by pyruvate decarboxylation in the cytosol. Do the terpene and polyketide pathways utilize the same or different subcellular sources of acetyl CoA?
Compartmentalization of SM biosynthetic pathways not only brings together enzymes as a functional unit but also sets the pathway apart from the rest of the cell. This is especially important if products and intermediates may be toxic to the producing cell. Compartmentalization also may facilitate export of products by exocytosis although the exact mechanisms of SM export have yet to be determined for any filamentous fungus.
Certainly it is clear that relatively little is known about the cellular compartmentalization of secondary metabolic pathways in filamentous fungi. Given the importance of these compounds to industry, food safety and public health, and the importance of understanding the regulation and expression of the fungal secondary metabolome, this research doubtlessly will be a fertile area of exploration for years to come.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Statements
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Dr. Marike Boenisch for her helpful suggestions to the manuscript. This project was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2014-67013-21561 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Microscopy was conducted using a Zeiss Cell Observer SD spinning disk confocal microscope and support by Guillermo Marques at the University of Minnesota - University Imaging Centers, http://uic.umn.edu.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: http://www.frontiersin.org/journal/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00068/abstract
Video S1Potential interactions of peroxisomes and toxisomes during trichothecene biosynthesis in F. graminearum. Spinning disc confocal microscopy of a F. graminearum strain with GFP-tagged Pex3 protein and a TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase grown under trichothecene-inducing conditions. Peroxisomes (green) and toxisomes (red) are shown in developing (top) and mature (bottom) toxigenic cells. Dashed arrows indicate areas where toxisomes appear to be forming from a diffuse reticulate endomembrane matrix. Peroxisomes are highly motile in this developing cell. Solid arrows indicate fully formed toxisomes in a mature toxigenic cell adjacent to less motile peroxisomes. Arrow heads indicate co-fluorescent punta indicating mature toxisomes closely juxtaposed with peroxisomes. Bar = 10 μm. Results presented in Menke et al. (
Interaction between toxisomes and motile Tri12p containing vesicles. Spinning disc confocal microscopy of a F. graminearum strain with GFP-tagged Tri12 protein and a TagRFP-T-tagged trichodiene oxygenase grown under trichothecene-inducing conditions. Toxisomes (red) and Tri12p-containing motile vesicles and vacuoles (green) appear to interact. Solid arrows indicate co-fluorescent punta (yellow) suggesting transient interaction between the toxisome and the motile vesicles. Dashed arrows indicate areas where motile vesicles appear to be interacting with the plasma membrane. Data presented in Menke et al. (
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Summary
Keywords
aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, mycotoxin, non-ribosomal peptide, polyketide, penicillin, terpene
Citation
Kistler HC and Broz K (2015) Cellular compartmentalization of secondary metabolism. Front. Microbiol. 6:68. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00068
Received
03 November 2014
Accepted
20 January 2015
Published
09 February 2015
Volume
6 - 2015
Edited by
Ozgur Bayram, Maynooth University, Ireland
Reviewed by
Jae-Hyuk Yu, University of Wisconsin, USA; Wilhelm Schäfer, Universität Hamburg, Germany; John Edgar Linz, Michigan State University, USA
Copyright
© 2015 Kistler and Broz.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: H. Corby Kistler, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Cereal Disease Laboratory, University of Minnesota, 1551 Lindig Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA e-mail: hckist@umn.edu
This article was submitted to Microbial Physiology and Metabolism, a section of the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
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