Comparison of secondary metabolite production in the sterigmatocystin and austinol cluster deletion strains in <i>Aspergillus nidulans</i>

Abstract

A filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans produces a mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST), in addition to other secondary metabolites (SMs). SM biosynthetic pathways share common precursor substances. However, how the loss of one SM affects the production of other SMs remains unclear. In this study, we deleted 8 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) or a polyketide synthase gene wA, respectively, and analyzed ST production in those deletion strains. In aus1Δ lacking austinol (AUS) cluster A, ST production was increased compared to the control strain. However, in aus1Δ aus2Δ lacking both AUS cluster A and B, ST production was comparable to the control. In STΔ lacking ST cluster, AUS and dehydroaustinol (DAUS) production was comparable to the control.