Securing a furan-based biorefinery: disclosing the genetic basis of the degradation of hydroxymethylfurfural and its derivatives in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans.

ABSTRACT: Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a promising lignocellulosic-derived source for the generation of diverse chemical building blocks constituting an alternative to fossil fuels. However, it remains unanswered if ubiquitous fungi can ensure their efficient decay, similar to that observed in highly specialised fungi. To disclose the genetic basis of HMF degradation in aspergilli, we performed a comprehensive analysis of Aspergillus nidulans ability to tolerate and to degrade HMF and its derivatives (including an HMF-dimer). We identified the degradation pathway using a suite of metabolomics methods and showed that HMF was modified throughout sequential reactions, ultimately yielding derivatives subsequently channelled to the TCA cycle. Based on the previously revealed hmfFGH gene cluster of Cupr

SUBMITTER: Martins C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7533331 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature