Genome Mining-Driven Discovery of 5-Methylorsellinate-Derived Meroterpenoids from Aspergillus funiculosus

Heterologous expression of a cryptic gene cluster in the fungus Aspergillus funiculosus CBS 116.56 led to the discovery of four new meroterpenoids, funiculolides A-D (1-4), derived from the aromatic polyketide 5-methylorsellinic acid (5-MOA). Intriguingly, funiculolide D (4), the apparent end product of the pathway, harbors an unusual spirocyclopentanone moiety, which is synthesized by the oxidative rearrangement catalyzed by the ferrous iron and alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase FncG.

Automated summary

Heterologous expression in the fungus Aspergillus funiculosus CBS 116.56 led to the discovery of four new meroterpenoids, funiculolides A-D, with funiculolide D featuring an unusual spirocyclopentanone moiety synthesized by the iron and alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase FncG.