Genome mining of fungal globin-like enzymes for catalyzing the synthesis of linear terpenes

Genome mining for the search and discovery of two new globin-like enzymes, TriB from Fusarium poae and TutaA from Schizophyllum commne, are involved in the synthesis of two linear terpenes tricinonoic acid (1) and 2-butenedioic acid (3). Both in vivo heterologous biosynthesis and in vitro biochemical assays showed that these two enzymes catalyzed the C-C double bond cleavage of a cyclic sesquiterpene precursor (-)-germacrene D (7) and a linear diterpene backbone schizostain (2), respectively. Our work presents an unusual formation mechanism of linear terpenes from fungi and expands the functional skills of globin-like enzymes in the synthesis of terpene compounds.

Automated summary

Genome mining identified two new globin-like enzymes involved in the synthesis of two linear terpenes. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated their ability to catalyze the C-C double bond cleavage of specific terpene precursors. This work reveals an unusual formation mechanism of linear terpenes in fungi and expands the functional repertoire of globin-like enzymes in terpene synthesis.