A Multifunctional Cytochrome P450 and a Meroterpenoid Cyclase in the Biosynthesis of Fungal Meroterpenoid Atlantinone B.

The biosynthetic gene cluster of atlantinone B () was discovered in MT-40. A multifunctional cytochrome P450 (AtlD) encoded by the cluster is responsible for the formation of the unique lactone-bridged ring and the 16β-hydroxyl of atlantinone B, and a new terpene cyclase (AtlC) can unprecedentedly accept the demethylated substrate epoxyfarnesyl-DMOA () to generate three bicyclic meroterpenoids (-). This study paves the way for combinatorial synthesis of structurally diverse meroterpenoids for drug discovery.

Identification of a diarylpentanoid-producing polyketide synthase revealing an unusual biosynthetic pathway of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones in agarwood.

2-(2-Phenylethyl)chromones (PECs) are the principal constituents contributing to the distinctive fragrance of agarwood. How PECs are biosynthesized is currently unknown. In this work, we describe a diarylpentanoid-producing polyketide synthase (PECPS) identified from Aquilaria sinensis.

Deciphering the Biosynthetic Mechanism of Pelletierine in Alkaloid Biosynthesis.

Pelletierine, a proposed building block of alkaloids (LAs), was demonstrated to be synthesized via the non-enzymatic Mannich-like condensation of Δ-piperideine and 3-oxoglutaric acid produced by two new type III PKSs (HsPKS4 and PcPKS1) characterized from and , respectively. The findings provide new insights for further understanding the biosynthesis of LAs such as huperzine A.

[Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from Huperzia serrata and their metabolites' inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase and anti-inflammatory activities].

A total of 27 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Huperzia serrata,which were richly distributed in the stems and leaves while less distributed in roots. The 27 strains were identified by Internal Transcribed Spacer( ITS) r DNA molecular method and one of the strains belongs to Basidiomycota phylum,and other 26 stains belong to 26 species,9 general,6 families,5 orders,3 classes of Ascomycota Phylum. The dominant strains were Colletotrichum genus,belonging to Glomerellaceae family,Glomerellales order,Sordariomycetes class,Ascomycota Phylum,with the percentage of 48.

Dimeric furanocoumarins from the roots of Angelica dahurica.

Three new dimeric furanocoumarins, dahuribiethrins H-J (1-3), and a new ester coumarin, dahurinol A (4), were isolated from the roots of Angelica dahurica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data including UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited inhibition of nitric oxide production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.