Recent Advances in Chitin Biosynthesis Associated with the Morphology and Secondary Metabolite Synthesis of Filamentous Fungi in Submerged Fermentation

Metabolites produced by filamentous fungi are used extensively in the food and drug industries. With the development of the morphological engineering of filamentous fungi, numerous biotechnologies have been applied to alter the morphology of fungal mycelia and enhance the yields and productivity of target metabolites during submerged fermentation. Disruption of chitin biosynthesis can modify the cell growth and mycelial morphology of filamentous fungi and regulate the biosynthesis of metabolites during submerged fermentation. In this review, we present a comprehensive coverage of the categories and structures of the enzyme chitin synthase, chitin biosynthetic pathways, and the association between chitin biosynthesis and cell growth and metabolism in filamentous fungi. Through this review, we hope to increase awareness of the metabolic engineering of filamentous fungal morphology, provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of morphological control via chitin biosynthesis, and describe strategies for the application of morphological engineering to enhance the production of target metabolites in filamentous fungi during submerged fermentation.

Automated summary

Metabolites produced by filamentous fungi are widely used in the food and drug industries. The morphological engineering of filamentous fungi has led to the application of various biotechnologies to enhance the production of target metabolites during submerged fermentation. Disrupting chitin biosynthesis can modify cell growth and mycelial morphology, and regulate metabolite biosynthesis. This review provides a comprehensive coverage of chitin biosynthesis in filamentous fungi and its relationship with cell growth and metabolism, aiming to increase awareness and provide insights into the application of morphological engineering to enhance metabolite production during submerged fermentation.