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Cytotoxic Pheofungins from an Engineered Fungus Impaired in Posttranslational Protein Modification
Author(s) -
Scherlach Kirstin,
Nützmann HansWilhelm,
Schroeckh Volker,
Dahse HansMartin,
Brakhage Axel A.,
Hertweck Christian
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201104488
Subject(s) - mutant , aspergillus nidulans , fungus , biogenesis , posttranslational modification , acetylation , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , biochemistry , chemistry , botany , enzyme
What makes a fungus blush? The deletion of a gene that is required for global protein N‐acetylation triggers the production of unprecedented metabolites in Aspergillus nidulans. The pronounced red pigmentation of the engineered mutant is caused by pheofungins (benzothiazinone chromophores, see scheme), the biogenesis of which is strikingly similar to those of pheomelanins found in red bird feathers and hair of Celtic origin.