Epoxy ceriporic acid produced by selective lignin-degrading fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a selective white rot basidiomycete which degrades lignin in wood at a distance far from enzymes. Low molecular mass metabolites play a central role in the oxidative degradation of lignin. To understand the unique wood-decaying mechanism, we surveyed the oxidized derivatives of ceriporic acids (alk(en)ylitaconic acids) produced by C. subvermispora using high-resolution liquid chromatography multiple-stage mass spectrometry (HR-LC/MSⁿ). The analysis of the precursor and product ions from the extract suggested that an epoxidized derivative of ceriporic acid is produced by the fungus. To identify the new metabolite, an authentic compound of ceriporic acid epoxide was synthesized in vitro by reacting (R)-3-[(Z)-hexadec-7-enyl]-itaconic acid (ceriporic acid C) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The precursor and product ions from the natural metabolite and authentic epoxide were identical and distinguishable from those of hydroxy and hydroperoxy derivatives after reduction with NaBD₄. Feeding experiments with [U-¹³C]-glucose, 99% and the subsequent analyses of the first and second generation product ions demonstrated that the oxidized ceriporic acid was (R)-3-(7,8-epoxy-hexadecyl)-itaconic acid. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that natural alkylitaconic acid bears an epoxy group on its side chain.     

Ceriporic acid C, a hexadecenylitaconate produced by a lignin-degrading fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

A lignin-degrading basidiomycete, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora produces a series of alkyl- and alkenylitaconates (ceriporic acids). Previously, two alkylitaconic acids with tetradecyl and hexadecyl side chains were isolated and identified as 1-heptadecene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (ceriporic acid A) and 1-nonadecene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (ceriporic acid B). In the present study, one hexadecenylitaconate (ceriporic acid C) was isolated and its chemical structure was analyzed by glycolation and subsequent (1) trimethylsilation, or (2) acetalation with acetone and acetone-d6. Analyses of the isolated metabolite demonstrated that the hexadecenylitaconic acid was (Z)-1,10-nonadecadiene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid. The structure of the side chain in ceriporic acid C was the same as that of hexadecenylcitraconate, chaetomellic acid B. Thus, it was found that ceriporic acids share close structural similarity with alk(en)yl citraconate derivatives, chaetomellic acids and other lichen lactones, protolichesterinic, lichesterinic, and murolic acids.     

De novo synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-7-hexadecenylitaconic acids by a selective lignin-degrading fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Ceriporic acids are a class of alk(en)ylitaconic acids produced by a selective lignin-degrading fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. Their structural units have similarity with biologically important lichen acids, such as chaetomellic and protolichesterinic acids. The unique function of alkylitaconic acid is the redox silencing of the Fenton reaction system by inhibiting reduction of Fe(3+). As estimated by the catalytic function of Delta9-desaturases, 7-hexadecenyl derivatives bearing a trans configuration have not been reported in the family of alk(en)ylitaconic acids, i.e. the structurally similar lichen acids-alk(en)ylcitraconic and paraconic acids. In this paper, we discuss the isolation of an itaconic acid derivative with an (E)-7-hexadecenyl chain from cultures of C. subvermispora. To identify the natural metabolite, (E)- and (Z)-7-hexadecenylitaconic acids were chemically synthesised. The isolated metabolite was identical to the synthetic (E)-hexadecenylitaconic acid and was designated as ceriporic acid D. Administration of (13)C-[U]-glucose demonstrated that ceriporic acid C and trans-7-hexadecenylitaconic acid (ceriporic acid D) were biosynthesised de novo by C. subvermispora.     

Chemical synthesis,iron redox interactions and charge transfer complex formation of alkylitaconic acids from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

In 1999, we first reported that a white rot fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora produced a series of novel alkylitaconic acids (ceriporic acids). In the present paper we synthesized the metabolite, 1-nonadecene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (ceriporic acid B) by Grignard reaction to analyze chemical properties of the alkylitaconates. Mass spectrometer (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the synthetic compound was identical to those of the fungal metabolite isolated. The dicarboxylic acid inhibited autoxidation of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ as well as reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ by the strong natural reductants, cysteine, glutathione, and ascorbic acid. The formation of charge transfer complexes (CTCs) between 1-heptadecene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and oxidized intermediates from phenolic substrates were also observed. Thus, we herein report that the new class of lipid-related metabolites produced by C. subvermispora are potential metabolites participating in the control of iron redox reactions and CTCs formation from oxidized lignin fragments.     

Temperature effects on hyphal growth of wood-decay basidiomycetes isolated from Pinus densiflora deadwood

Hyphal growth rates were tested on malt extract agar plates at eight different temperatures (5–40?°C) using 36 isolates of 17 basidiomycete species obtained from Pinus densiflora deadwood in Japan. All isolates of four brown rot species showed optimum growth at 30?°C, whereas the optimum growth temperature of white rot species varied from 20?°C to 30?°C. Analysis using a dataset from four cooler sites showed that brown rot fungi grew more rapidly than white rot fungi at higher temperatures (25?°C, 30?°C, and 35?°C). These results suggest that the hyphal growth of brown rot fungi might be physiologically adapted to higher temperatures than those of white rot fungi among the fungal species inhabiting deadwood of P. densiflora in Japan.     

Absolute configuration of tetraphyllin b,a cyanoglucoside from tetrapathaea tetrandra

The absolute configuration of tetraphyllin B, the major cyanoglucoside from immature fruit of Tetrapathaea tetrandra, was determined by X-ray diffraction and enzymic hydrolysis to be (1S,4S)1-cyano-4-hydroxypent-2-en-β-d-glucoside.     

Optimization of manganese peroxidase production by the white rot fungus Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55

Manganese dependent peroxidase (MnP) is the most ubiquitous peroxidase produced by white rot fungi. MnP is known to be involved in lignin degradation, biobleaching and in the oxidation of hazardous organopollutants. Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55 is a nitrogen-unregulated white rot fungus which produces high amounts of MnP in the excess of N-nutrients due to increased biomass yield. Therefore, the strain is a good candidate for use in large scale production of this enzyme. The objective of this study was to optimize the MnP production in N-sufficient cultures by varying different physiological factors such as Mn concentration, culture pH, incubation temperature and the addition of organic acids. The fungus produced the highest level of MnP (up to 900 U 1⁻¹) when the Mn concentration was 0.2 to 1 mM, the pH value was 5.2, and the incubation temperature was 30°C. A noteworthy finding was that MnP was also produced at lower levels in the complete absence of Mn. The addition of organic acids like glycolate, malonate, glucuronate, gluconate, 2-hydroxybutyrate to the culture medium increased the peak titres of MnP up to 1250 U 1⁻¹. FPLC profiles indicated that the organic acids stimulated the production of all MnP isoenzymes present in the extracellular fluid of the fungus.     

The absolute configuration of phaseic and dihydrophaseic acids

A sample of phaseic acid methyl ester (5 mg, isolated from tomato plants fed (±)-abscisic acid, was reduced to a mixture of the epimeric dihydrophaseates which were separated by TLC. The more polar epimer was identical with the dihydrophaseate isolated from beans by Walton et al. [14]. Comparison of the NMR and IR spectra (H-bonding) of the two epimers shows the secondary hydroxyl of the less polar epimer is cis to the oxymethylene group, which is cis to the tertiary hydroxyl group. The absolute configuration of this centre is known so the absolute configuration of phaseic acid can be deduced. Phaseic acid is (−)-3-methyl-5{8[1(R), 5(R)-dimethyl-8(S)-hydroxy-3-oxo-6-oxabicyclo-(3,2,1)-octane]} 2-cis-4-trans-pentadienoic acid and both it and the reduction products exist in chair conformations. The more polar epimer isolated by Walton et al. is (−)-3-methyl-5{8[3(S,8(S)-dihydroxy-1(R,5(R)-dimethyl-6-oxabicyclo-(3,2,1)-octane]}2-cis-4-trans-pentadienoic acid. It is suggested that the less polar epimer should be referred to as epi-dihydrophaseic acid.     

Decolorization of practical textile industry effluents by white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor IBL-04

Textile industry discharges a vast amount of unused synthetic dyes in effluents. The discharge of these effluents into rivers and lakes leads to a reduction in sunlight penetration in natural water bodies, which, in turn, decreases both photosynthetic activity and dissolved oxygen concentration rendering it toxic to living beings. This paper describes the decolorization potential of a local white rot fungus, Coriolus versicolor IBL-04 for practical industrial effluents collected from five different textile industries of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Screening of C. versicolor IBL-04 on five effluents showed best decolorization results (36.3%) for Arzoo Textile Industry (ART) effluent in 6 days followed by Crescent Textile Industry (CRT), Itmad Textile Industry (ITT), Megna Textile Industry (MGT) and Ayesha Textile Industry (AST) effluents. Optimization of different process parameters for ART effluent decolorization by C. versicolor IBL-04 showed that manganese peroxidase (MnP) (486 U/mL) was the lignolytic enzyme present in the culture filtrates with undetectable lignin peroxidase (LiP) and laccase. The MnP synthesis and effluent decolorization could be enhanced to 725 U/mL and 84.4%, respectively, with a significant time reduction to 3 days by optimizing pH and temperature and using 1% starch as a supplementary carbon source.     

Fungal bioconversion of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls by white-rot fungus, Phlebia brevispora

Toxic coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) were used as substrates for a degradation experiment with white-rot fungus, Phlebia brevispora TMIC33929, which is capable of degrading polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins. Eleven PCB congener mixtures (7 mono-ortho- and 4 non-ortho-PCBs) were added to the cultures of P. brevispora and monitored by high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Five PCB congeners, 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl, 2,3,3′,4,4′-pentachlorobiphenyl, 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, and 2,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl were degraded by P. brevispora. To investigate the fungal metabolism of PCB, each Co-PCB was treated separately by P. brevispora and the metabolites were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and identified on the basis of the GC/MS comparison with the authentic compound. Meta-methoxylated metabolite was detected from the culture containing each compound. Additionally, para-dechlorinated and -methoxylated metabolite was also detected from the culture with 2,3,3′,4,4′-pentachlorobiphenyl, 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, and 2,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl, which are mono-ortho-PCBs. In this paper, we identified the congener specific degradation of coplanar PCBs by P. brevispora, and clearly proved for the first time by identifying the metabolites that the white-rot fungus, P. brevispora, transformed recalcitrant coplanar PCBs.     

Absolute configuration of tropane alkaloids from Schizanthus species by vibrational circular dichroism

The absolute configuration (AC) of 6β-hydroxy-3α-senecioyloxytropane (1), 3α-hydroxy-6β-tigloyloxytropane (2), 3α-hydroxy-6β-senecioyloxytropane (3), and 3α-hydroxy-6β-angeloyloxytropane (4) was assigned as (1R,3R,5S,6R) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/DGDZVP level of theory in combination with experimental vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements and comparison with the spectra of similar tropanes. The AC of 1 followed from a sample isolated from Schizanthus grahamii, while those of the mixture of 2 and 3, isolated from the same source, were determined by comparing the VCD measurement to a weighted calculation of the individual VCD spectra according to a 69:31 ratio of 2:3 determined by ¹H NMR signal integration. In turn, Schizanthus pinnatus provided a 7:3 mixture of 1:4 whose AC was determined using the experimental VCD absorptions in the 1150-950 cm⁻¹ spectral region which were compared with those observed for 1-3 and with those described for other 3α,6β-tropanediol derivatives.     

Surface carbohydrate analysis and bioethanol production of sugarcane bagasse pretreated with the white rot fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and microwave hydrothermolysis

Effects of pretreatments with a white rot fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, and microwave hydrothermolysis of bagasse on enzymatic saccharification and fermentation were evaluated. The best sugar yield, 44.9 g per 100 g of bagasse was obtained by fungal treatments followed by microwave hydrothermolysis at 180 °C for 20 min. Fluorescent-labeled carbohydrate-binding modules which recognize crystalline cellulose (CjCBM3-GFP), non-crystalline cellulose (CjCBM28-GFP) and xylan (CtCBM22-GFP) were applied to characterize the exposed polysaccharides. The microwave pretreatments with and without the fungal cultivation resulted in similar levels of cellulose exposure, but the combined treatment caused more defibration and thinning of the plant tissues. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of the pulp fractions obtained by microwave hydrothermolysis with and without fungal treatment, gave ethanol yields of 35.8% and 27.0%, respectively, based on the holocellulose content in the pulp. These results suggest that C. subvermispora pretreatment could be beneficial part of the process to produce ethanol from bagasse.     

A toxic amino acid, 2(S)3(R)-2-amino-3-hydroxypent-4-ynoic acid from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii

An amino acid, lethal to New Hampshire chickens (LD₅₀, 150 mg/kg) was isolated from dried sclerotia of the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii (Sacc.). Purification of the rather unstable compound was effected on a cation exchange column by means of displacement chromatography and the amino acid was crystallised from 80% methanol. A structure was assigned to the compound on the basis of available chemical and physical data, namely 2(S),3(R)-2- amino-3-hydroxypent-4-ynoic acid. Confirmation of this structure was gained by direct and indirect synthetic procedures.     

Assessing the absolute configuration of (7S,8R)-(−)-epoxyjasmone

The absolute configuration of cis-epoxyjasmone (−)-2, isolated from Trichosporum cutaneum CCT 1903 whole cells, has been unambiguously established as (7S,8R), [α]_D²⁰ −29.0° (c 1.3, CHCl₃), by a new two step method, using a regioselective epoxide opening as the key step followed by Mosher acid derivatization.     

Time-dependent density functional theory-assisted absolute configuration determination of cis-dihydrodiol metabolite produced from isoflavone by biphenyl dioxygenase

Escherichia coli cells containing the biphenyl dioxygenase genes bphA1A2A3A4 from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 were found to biotransform isoflavone and produced a metabolite that was not found in a control experiment. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses indicated that biphenyl dioxygenase induced 2′,3′-cis-dihydroxylation of the B-ring of isoflavone. In a previous report, the same enzyme showed dioxygenase activity toward flavone, producing flavone 2′,3′-cis-dihydrodiol. Due to growing interest in flavone chemistry and the absolute configuration of natural products, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were combined with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to determine the absolute configuration of the isoflavone dihydrodiol. By computational methods, the structure of the isoflavone metabolite was determined to be 3-[(5S,6R)-5,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,3-dienyl]-4H-chromen-4-one. This structure was confirmed further by the modified Mosher’s method. The same protocol was applied to the flavone metabolite, and the absolute configuration was determined to be 2-[(5S,6R)-5,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,3-dienyl]-4H-chromen-4-one. After determination of the absolute configurations of the biotransformation products, we suggest the binding mode of these substrate analogs to the enzyme active site.     

A selective lignin-degrading fungus,Ceriporiopsis subvermispora,produces alkylitaconates that inhibit the production of a cellulolytic active oxygen species,hydroxyl radical in the presence of iron and H(2)O(2)

A cellulolytic active oxygen species, hydroxyl radicals (.OH), play a leading role in the erosion of wood cell walls by brown-rot and non-selective white-rot fungi. In contrast, selective white-rot fungi have been considered to possess unknown systems for the suppression of .OH production due to their wood decay pattern with a minimum loss of cellulose. In the present paper, we first report that 1-nonadecene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, an alkylitaconic acid (ceriporic acid B) produced by the selective white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora intensively inhibited .OH production by the Fenton reaction by direct interaction with Fe ions, while non-substituted itaconic acid promoted the Fenton reaction. Suppression of the Fenton reaction by the alkylitaconic acid was observed even in the presence of the Fe(3+) reductants, cysteine and hydroquinone. The inhibition of .OH production by the diffusible fungal metabolite accounts for the extracellular system of the fungus that attenuates the formation of .OH in the presence of iron, molecular oxygen, and free radicals produced during lignin biodegradation.     

Formation of coniferyl alcohol from ferulic acid by the white rot fungus Trametes

The white rot fungus, Trametes sp., was cultivated in a medium containing ferulic acid, glucose and ethanol under aerobic conditions in submerged culture. The ferulic acid was transformed into coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, dihydroconiferyl alcohol, vanillic acid, vanillyl alcohol, 2-methoxyhydroquinone and 2-methoxyquinone during 48–120 hr of cultivation. The amount of coniferyl alcohol in the culture reached a maximum after 90 hr with ca 40% of the initial amount of ferulic acid. Cinnamic acid, p-methoxycinnamic acid, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid, p -coumaric acid and sinapic acid were also transformed into the corresponding alcohols, benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols in the fungus culture.     

The selective visualization of lignin peroxidase,manganese peroxidase and laccase,produced by white rot fungi on solid media

A visual method for the selective screening of lignin degrading enzymes, produced by white rot fungi (WRF), was investigated by the addition of coloring additives to solid media. Of the additives used in the enzyme production media, guaiacol and RBBR could be used for the detection of lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase. Syringaldazine and Acid Red 264 were able for the detection of both the MnP and laccase, and the LiP and laccase, respectively, and a combination of these two additives was able to detect each of the ligninases produced by the WRF on solid media.     

Anthracobic acids A and B, two polyketides, produced by an endophytic fungus Anthracobia sp

Two new polyketides, anthracobic acids A and B (1 and 2, resp.), were isolated from a cultured endophytic fungus, Anthracobia sp. The NMR study revealed that both anthracobic acids contain a carboxylic acid conjugated tetraene attached to an octahydronaphthalene moiety. Both compounds showed antimicrobial activity.     

Some properties of a glucoamylase produced by the thermophilic fungus Humicola lanuginosa

The thermophilic fungus Humicola lanuginosa elaborates two glucoamylases. Some properties of one of these enzymes (glucoamylase II) were investigated. The enzyme was found to have a higher pH optimum than reported for other fungal glucoamylases, and to be very thermostable. In particular, it displayed unusual resistance to heat in the presence of its substrate. It appeared to be capable of completely degrading starch. However, the possibility that traces of contaminating alpha amylase assist in degradation could not be ruled out.