Elucidation and Heterologous Reconstitution of Chrodrimanin B Biosynthesis

The biosynthetic gene cluster of the fungal meroterpenoid chrodrimanin B (4) was discovered in Penicillium verruculosum TPU1311, and the complete biosynthetic pathway of 4 has been elucidated by heterologous reconstitution of its biosynthesis in Aspergillus oryzae, as well as by in vitro characterizations of selected enzymes. The present study has identified the polyketide synthase that produces 6-hydroxymellein (3) and also provided a biosynthetic platform of chrodrimanins for further bioengineering.