biostudies-literatureWang GNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaInstitute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences85-95https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12147602biostudies-literatureUnknown72<h4>Introduction</h4>Ochratoxins (OTs) are worldwide regulated mycotoxins contaminating a variety of food-environment and agro-environment. Several Aspergillus and Pencillium species synthesize OTs from a six-gene biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) to produce the highly toxic final product OTA. Although many studies on OTA-degrading enzymes were performed, high efficiency enzymes with strong stability are extremely needed, and the OTA degrading mechanism is poorly understood.<h4>Objectives</h4>The study aimed to explore the OT-degradation enzyme and investigate its degradation mechanisms in Metarhizium, which contain an OT biosynthetic gene cluster.<h4>Methods</h4>Phylogenomic relationship combined with RNA expression analysis were used to explore the distribution of OT BGC in fungi. BioactivJournal of advanced researchMetarhizium spp. encode an ochratoxin cluster and a high efficiency ochratoxin-degrading amidohydrolase revealed by genomic analysis.PMC12147602CAAS-ZDRW20241432372456Xing FGuo XLi EKeller NPWang GMa JWu WfalseMetarhizium spp. encode an ochratoxin cluster and a high efficiency ochratoxin-degrading amidohydrolase revealed by genomic analysis.<h4>Introduction</h4>Ochratoxins (OTs) are worldwide regulated mycotoxins contaminating a variety of food-environment and agro-environment. Several Aspergillus and Pencillium species synthesize OTs from a six-gene biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) to produce the highly toxic final product OTA. Although many studies on OTA-degrading enzymes were performed, high efficiency enzymes with strong stability are extremely needed, and the OTA degrading mechanism is poorly understood.<h4>Objectives</h4>The study aimed to explore the OT-degradation enzyme and investigate its degradation mechanisms in Metarhizium, which contain an OT biosynthetic gene cluster.<h4>Methods</h4>Phylogenomic relationship combined with RNA expression analysis were used to explore the distribution of OT BGC in fungi. Bioactiv2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jun2026-06-03T07:31:18.742Z2026-04-26T03:09:30.582ZS-EPMC121476023908961810.1016/j.jare.2024.07.023