An Unconventional Melanin Biosynthesis Pathway in Ustilago maydis.

ABSTRACT: Ustilago maydis is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for corn smut disease. Although it is a very well-established model organism for the study of plant-microbe interactions, its potential to produce specialized metabolites, which might contribute to this interaction, has not been studied in detail. By analyzing the U. maydis genome, we identified a biosynthetic gene cluster whose activation led to the production of a black melanin pigment. Single deletion mutants of the cluster genes revealed that five encoded enzymes are required for the accumulation of the black pigment, including three polyketide synthases (pks3, pks4, and pks5), a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (cyp4), and a protein with similarity to versicolorin B synthase (vbs1). M

SUBMITTER: Reyes-Fernandez EZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7848912 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature