Synthesis and biological evaluation of coprinoferrin, an acylated tripeptide hydroxamate siderophore.

Coprinoferrin (CPF), originally isolated from a genetically engineered strain (Δ) of the mushroom fungus , is an acylated tripeptide hydroxamate consisting of tandem aligned -hexanoyl--hydroxy-L-ornithine with modifications of -acetyl and -carboxamide. These unique chemical properties make CPF an iron(III) binder (siderophore), which helps in iron acquisition from the environment and promotes hyphal growth as well as fruiting body formation in . However, CPF's detailed mode of action remains enigmatic.

Uncovering hidden sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway through expression boost area-mediated productivity enhancement in basidiomycete.

Basidiomycetes are known to biosynthesize many biologically interesting compounds, including terpenoids. However, they are notoriously difficult to manipulate. Previously, we identified the gene cluster encoding enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of lagopodins, cuparene-type sesquiterpenoid quinone natural products in Coprinopsis cinerea.

Genomic Mushroom Hunting Decrypts Coprinoferrin, A Siderophore Secondary Metabolite Vital to Fungal Cell Development.

LaeA is a positive global regulator of secondary metabolism in Ascomycetes, but its role in Basidiomycetes, including medicinal mushrooms, remains uncharacterized. Here, knockout of in the model mushroom unexpectedly upregulated the biosynthesis of a novel siderophore, coprinoferrin. Furthermore, knockout of the nonribosomal peptide synthetase-encoding responsible for coprinoferrin biosynthesis resulted in growth defect and loss of fruiting body formation, indicating the complex role that this natural product plays in fungal cell development.