Functional analysis of novel terpene cyclases that resemble transporter

由真菌烟曲霉产生的啶南平是一种部分萜类化合物，有望开发为降胆固醇药物。在啶南平生物合成基因簇中，发现了一种新的萜烯环化酶，它更像是一种转运蛋白。本研究对其活性部位残基进行了详细的分析。此外，还从A. fumigatus以及来自真菌禾谷镰刀菌（Fusarium graminearum），其引起镰刀菌头枯病。第二个基因簇中的PKS在A.烟曲霉产生鲎试剂。

Pyripyropene, produced by a fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, is a meroterpenoid that is expected to be developed as a cholesterol lowering drug. Among the pyripyropene biosynthetic gene cluster, a novel terpene cyclase was identified that resembled more like a transporter. In this study, detailed analysis of its active site residue was carried out. Besides, a second meroterpenoid biosynthetic gene cluster was identified from A. fumigatus as well as from a fungus Fusarium graminearum, which causes Fusarium head blight. The PKS among the second gene cluster in A. fumigatus was shown to produce TAL.