Open AccessA histone H3K9 methyltransferase Dim5 mediates repression of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis in Trichoderma reesei
Author(s) -
Wang Lei,
Liu Jialong,
Li Xiaotong,
Lyu Xinxing,
Liu Zhizhen,
Zhao Hong,
Jiao Xiangying,
Zhang Weixin,
Xie Jun,
Liu Weifeng
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.14103
Subject(s) - conidiation , gene cluster , psychological repression , trichoderma reesei , chromatin , biology , gene , histone , regulation of gene expression , epigenetics , repressor , histone h3 , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , biochemistry , mutant , enzyme , cellulase
Sorbicillinoids (also termed yellow pigment) are derived from either marine or terrestrial fungi, exhibit various biological activities and therefore show potential as commercial products for human or animal health. The cellulolytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei is capable to biosynthesize sorbicillinoids, but the underlying regulatory mechanism is not yet completely clear. Herein, we identified a histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferase, Dim5, in T. reesei . TrDIM5 deletion caused an impaired vegetative growth as well as conidiation, whereas the ∆ Trdim5 strain displayed a remarkable increase in sorbicillinoid production. Post TrDIM5 deletion, the transcription of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis‐related ( SOR ) genes was significantly upregulated with a more open chromatin structure. Intriguingly, hardly any expression changes occurred amongst those genes located on both flanks of the SOR gene cluster. In addition, the assays provided evidence that H3K9 triple methylation (H3K9me3) modification acted as a repressive marker at the SOR gene cluster and thus directly mediated the repression of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis. Transcription factor Ypr1 activated the SOR gene cluster by antagonizing Tr Dim5‐mediated repression and therefore contributed to forming a relatively more open local chromatin environment, which further facilitated its binding and SOR gene expression. The results of this study will contribute to understanding the intricate regulatory network in sorbicillinoid biosynthesis and facilitate the endowment of T. reesei with preferred features for sorbicillinoid production by genetic engineering.