Synthesis of secondary metabolites by lovastatin-producing strain Aspergillus terreus HZ01

Abstract:

[Objective] The biosynthesis ability of secondary metabolites in the lovastatin-producing strain Aspergillus terreus HZ01 was analyzed, for strain improvement and genome mining of secondary metabolites through genetic engineering. [Methods] The transcriptome of Aspergillus terreus HZ01 under the condition of lovastatin fermentation was analyzed. Meanwhile, the main by-products were separated and identified by chromatographic separation and spectroscopy. [Results] The biosynthesis of lovastatin was very active, and most of other PKS and NRPS genes are silent besides of 4 PKS, 6 NRPS and 1 PKS-NRPS. In addition, 10 major by-products were isolated and identified from the cultures. [Conclusion] Aspergillus terreus HZ01 is an excellent lovastatin producing strain, which will also be a valuable chassis cell for the microbial cell factory construction and biosynthesis pathway identification.

Key words:Aspergillus terreus;secondary metabolites;lovastatin;industrial strain;transcriptome