Fusarochromene, a novel tryptophan-derived metabolite from Fusarium sacchari

Fusarochromene isolated from the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium sacchari is closely related to a group of mycotoxins including fusarochromanone previously isolated from various Fusaria spp. Despite their assumed polyketide biogenesis, incorporation studies with C-13-labelled acetate, glycerol and tryptophans show that fusarochromene is unexpectedly derived via oxidative cleavage of the aromatic amino acid tryptophan. A putative biosynthetic gene cluster has been identified.

Automated summary

Fusarochromene isolated from Fusarium sacchari is closely related to various mycotoxins, including fusarochromanone. Despite being assumed to be biosynthesized via polyketide pathway, experiments have shown that fusarochromene is unexpectedly derived from oxidative cleavage of tryptophan. A putative biosynthetic gene cluster has been identified.