AUTHOR=Liu Yanjie , Duan Anqing , Chen Longfei , Wang Dan , Xie Qiaohong , Xiang Biyun , Lin Yamin , Hao Xiaoran , Zhu Xudong 

TITLE=A Fungal Diterpene Synthase Is Responsible for Sterol Biosynthesis for Growth

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01426

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2020.01426

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=A conserved ORF, dps, is described in Pestalotiopsis microspora, sharing remarkable similarity with fungal diterpene synthases whose function is little studied. Loss-of-function approach manifested dps was necessary for growth and development of the fungus. A deletion strain, dpsΔ, showed fundamental retardation in growth which could deliberately be restored by addition of exogenous sterols to the media. GC-MS analysis confirmed loss of the ability to produce certain sterols. Thus, tolerance and resistance of dpsΔ to several stress conditions was impaired. Secondary metabolites such as polyketide derivatives dibenzodioxocinones were significantly diminished. At the molecular level, deletion of dps even affected the expression of genes in mevalonate pathway. This report adds knowledge about fungal diterpene synthases in Pestalitiopsis microspora.