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Recent advances in reconstructing microbial secondary metabolites biosynthesis in Aspergillus spp.

  • Yi He*
  • , Bin Wang
  • , Wanping Chen
  • , Russell J. Cox
  • , Jingren He*
  • , Fusheng Chen*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearch

Abstract

High throughput genome sequencing has revealed a multitude of potential secondary metabolites biosynthetic pathways that remain cryptic. Pathway reconstruction coupled with genetic engineering via heterologous expression enables discovery of novel compounds, elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, and optimization of product yields. Apart from Escherichia coli and yeast, fungi, especially Aspergillus spp., are well known and efficient heterologous hosts. This review summarizes recent advances in heterologous expression of microbial secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Aspergillus spp. We also discuss the technological challenges and successes in regard to heterologous host selection and DNA assembly behind the reconstruction of microbial secondary metabolite biosynthesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)739-783
Number of pages45
JournalBiotechnology advances
Volume36
Issue number3
E-pub ahead of print5 Feb 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2018

Keywords

  • Aspergillus spp.
  • Combinatorial biosynthesis
  • DNA assembly
  • Heterologous expression
  • Microbial secondary metabolites
  • Pathway engineering
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Multigene Family
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Cloning, Molecular/methods
  • Computational Biology/methods
  • Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified
  • Tricarboxylic Acids
  • Lovastatin/genetics
  • Polyketides/metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Genetic Engineering/methods
  • Secondary Metabolism/genetics
  • Biosynthetic Pathways/genetics
  • Aspergillus/genetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Biotechnology

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