AUTHOR=Gu Tiantian , Lu Hengqian , Liu Huiwen , Zhang Guanghui , Wang Yongzhong 

TITLE=Function discovery of a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase-like encoding gene in the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1210288

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1210288

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>In this study, the function of a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase-like (NRPS-like) encoding gene <italic>AOL_s00188g306</italic> (<italic>g306</italic>) was investigated to reveal the association between NRPS and nematocidal activity in the nematode-trapping fungus <italic>Arthrobotrys oligospora</italic>. Sequence analysis indicated that the encoded product of <italic>g306</italic> is an adenylation domain of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and extended short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase domain-containing proteins, and displays a wide substrate spectrum. The Δ<italic>g306</italic> mutants were more sensitive to chemical stressors than the wild type. Disruption of <italic>g306</italic> impeded the nematocidal efficiency of <italic>A. oligospora</italic>. Metabolomics analysis showed that secondary metabolite biosynthesis and lipid metabolism were altered in the mutants. The phenotypic changes in the mutants can be attributed to the down-regulation of various metabolites, including fatty acyls, prenol lipids, steroidsand steroid derivative, and amino acid derivatives, identified in the present study. This study investigated the association between the non-ribosomal polypeptide-encoding gene <italic>g306</italic> and nematicidal activity in <italic>A. oligospora</italic>, providing a reference for resolving the predation mechanism of nematode-trapping fungus.</p>