Heterologous Production of Unnatural Flavipucine Family Products Provides Insights into Flavipucines Biosynthesis

Heterologous expression of the flavipucine biosynthetic gene cluster in Aspergillus nidulans led to the production of flavipucine (1) and dihydroisoflavipucine (3), as well as six unusual flavipucine related products containing three classes of heterocycles. This combined with gene inactivation, chemical complementation, and transcriptome analysis demonstrated unprecedented ways to form 2-pyridone and 2-pyrone structures by the oxidative rearrangements of pyrrolinone precursors as well as provided insights into the biosynthesis of this important class of natural products.

Automated summary

Heterologous expression of the flavipucine biosynthetic gene cluster in Aspergillus nidulans resulted in the production of flavipucine and related products, shedding light on the biosynthesis of these natural products and providing new insights into the formation of 2-pyridone and 2-pyrone structures.