Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Mahdi Nikbakht Fini, Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Jens Muff
Summary: This study focused on investigating the separation, concentration, and purification possibilities of valuable fungal pigments, produced by Fusarium solani, using membrane filtration. It was found that membrane filtration can effectively separate, concentrate, and purify the investigated fusarubins.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Mikkel Rank Nielsen, Reinhard Wimmer, Jens Muff, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: In this study, the influence of carbohydrates and nitrogen sources on the production and selectivity of four different polyketides produced by Fusarium solani was investigated. Different combinations of carbohydrates and nitrogen sources showed varying effects on production yields and selectivity. Maximum yields did not necessarily correlate with high selectivity, which is important for easier purification steps.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kevin Becker, Eric Kuhnert, Russell J. Cox, Frank Surup
Summary: New stromatal azaphilone pigments, rubiginosins Z-X and rubiginosins Z and W, were isolated from two fungi with cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. The structures were linked to putative biosynthetic gene clusters, revealing the mechanism of OA-substituted azaphilone synthesis in the fungi.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Trong-Tuan Dao, Katherine Williams, Kate M. J. de Mattos-Shipley, Zhongshu Song, Yuiko Takebayashi, Thomas J. Simpson, James Spencer, Andrew M. Bailey, Christine L. Willis
Summary: Three new polyketide-derived natural products and six known metabolites were isolated from fermentation of the fungus Cladobotryum sp. Their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus strains revealed the importance of unsaturated decalins for biological activity.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lakshmipriya Perincherry, Natalia Witaszak, Monika Urbaniak, Agnieszka Waskiewicz, Lukasz Stepien
Summary: The study focused on identifying differentially expressed secondary metabolites in resistant and susceptible cultivars of pea and their impact on the growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis of two different Fusarium species. It was found that certain metabolites could inhibit the pathogen's growth, while a higher level of one metabolite actually enhanced the growth of a specific Fusarium strain. Additionally, these metabolites were effective in inhibiting the biosynthesis of certain mycotoxins, regardless of the pathogen's ability to produce toxins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justyna Lalak-Kanczugowska, Natalia Witaszak, Agnieszka Waskiewicz, Jan Bocianowski, Lukasz Stepien
Summary: Fusarium proliferatum is a common hemi-biotrophic pathogen that infects a wide range of host plants, leading to significant crop losses. In this study, the effects of selected plant metabolites on the metabolism of F. proliferatum were analyzed. The results showed that some metabolites promoted fungal growth while others inhibited it.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Valentina Spanic, Marko Maricevic, Ivica Ikic, Michael Sulyok, Hrvoje Sarcevic
Summary: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease that causes economic losses and reduces grain quality in cereals, such as wheat. The study analyzed 216 wheat samples infected with FHB using LC-MS/MS and found that certain mycotoxins/metabolites, including deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), were highly prevalent. The co-occurrence of mycotoxins/metabolites was high, and their potential toxic effects should be considered. The results highlight the importance of analyzing modified and emerging mycotoxins/metabolites in future mycotoxin monitoring programs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aileen Ute Geers, Yannick Buijs, Mikael Lenz Strube, Lone Gram, Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia
Summary: As we approach the post-antibiotic era, the need for new antimicrobial compounds is urgent. Microorganisms have been a rich source of antibiotics, but the rediscovery of known antibiotics and the limited accessibility of most microorganisms in the environment have prompted the exploration of natural microbial communities using novel approaches. This review discusses how sequence-based analyses have revealed the abundant potential for secondary metabolite production in soil, marine, and host-associated microbiomes, with a focus on non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides. However, the complexity of natural microbiomes and the lack of standardized methodology pose challenges in comparing different biomes. Nevertheless, even commonly sampled microbiomes hold promise for discovering novel natural products, and the development of approaches to harness the vast biosynthetic diversity of natural microbiomes for the procurement of new antibiotics is discussed.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Klaus Ringsborg Westphal, Soren Heidelbach, Emil Juel Zeuner, Marie Riisgaard-Jensen, Morten Eneberg Nielsen, Sofie Zacho Vestergaard, Nicolai Sundgaard Bekker, Jesper Skovmark, Christian Kjaer Olesen, Katrine Hartmann Thomsen, Sara Kramer Niebling, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Teis Esben Sondergaard
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of four different manufacturers' PDA media on the metabolite profile of four species of Fusarium, revealing statistically significant differences in intensity for 9 out of 10 metabolites analyzed using HPLC-HRMS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Raul R. Rodriguez-Berrios, Agnes M. Rios-Delgado, Amanda P. Perdomo-Lizardo, Andres E. Cardona-Rivera, angel G. Vidal-Rosado, Guillermo A. Narvaez-Lozano, Ivan A. Nieves-Quinones, Jeremy A. Rodriguez-Vargas, Keiry Y. Alamo-Diverse, Naiara Lebron-Acosta, Nataniel Medina-Berrios, Patricia S. Rivera-Lugo, Yeriel A. Avellanet-Crespo, Yermarie W. Ortiz-Colon
Summary: The Caribbean region is a hotspot of biodiversity, and many organisms in this area produce polyketides through the biosynthetic pathway of PKS. These polyketides have shown biological activities against parasites, cancer, fungi, and bacteria. Researchers have summarized about 90 polyketide compounds isolated in the Caribbean from 1981 to 2020.
Article
Plant Sciences
Laura Righetti, Dhaka Ram Bhandari, Enrico Rolli, Sara Tortorella, Renato Bruni, Chiara Dall'Asta, Bernhard Spengler
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Fusarium mycotoxins on wheat metabolism, revealing that plants exhibit a local defense response when exposed to toxins, potentially triggered by eavesdropping on the presence of the fungus. The research suggests that mycotoxins may initiate a plant defense mechanism and operate on multiple organs in response to fungal presence.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mihaela Bejenari, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: 6-methylsalicylic acid (6-MSA) is a small polyketide produced by fungi through horizontal gene transfer, serving as a metabolic hub for the production of various complex compounds. The most significant metabolite derived from 6-MSA is the mycotoxin patulin. Other important products include terreic acid and yanuthones. The aculin biosynthetic pathway demonstrates the most advanced modification of 6-MSA, involving non-ribosomal peptide synthase and terpene cyclase. This review summarizes the pathways originating from 6-MSA, gene clusters involved, and resulting biosynthetic pathways.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara Novak, Amanda Lopes Hasuda, Mahdi Ghanbari, Viviane Mayumi Maruo, Ana Paula F. R. L. Bracarense, Manon Neves, Caroline Emsenhuber, Silvia Wein, Isabelle P. Oswald, Philippe Pinton, Dian Schatzmayr
Summary: Research showed that the co-application of EB and DON resulted in reduced weight gain, decreased liver enzyme activities, and histological lesions in various organs of piglets; whereas EB application significantly affected the gut microbiota. These findings provide new insights into the detrimental effects of emerging mycotoxins on pigs.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna K. Atanasoff-Kardjalieff, Bernhard Seidl, Katharina Steinert, Constantin G. Daniliuc, Rainer Schuhmacher, Hans-Ulrich Humpf, Svetlana Kalinina, Lena Studt-Reinhold
Summary: Fusarium mangiferae causes the economically significant mango malformation disease (MMD) on young mango trees and seedlings, leading to crop losses. Additionally, it produces secondary metabolites (SMs) that may contaminate the harvest. This study identifies the impact of the H3 K9-specific histone methyltransferase FmKmt1 on the expression of FmPKS8, a previously unknown polyketide synthase. The biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) of FmPKS8 is determined, and its activity is linked to the production of fusamarins.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fernanda Achimon, Claudio R. Krapacher, Andres G. Jacquat, Romina P. Pizzolitto, Julio A. Zygadlo
Summary: The study examined the effect of different carbon sources on secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Fusarium verticillioides submerged cultures. It was found that the biosynthesis of useful metabolites was highest in cultures with fructose, lactose, and xylose, while the biosynthesis of harmful mycotoxins fumonisins was lowest in these carbon sources.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Klaus Ringsborg Westphal, Soren Heidelbach, Emil Juel Zeuner, Marie Riisgaard-Jensen, Morten Eneberg Nielsen, Sofie Zacho Vestergaard, Nicolai Sundgaard Bekker, Jesper Skovmark, Christian Kjaer Olesen, Katrine Hartmann Thomsen, Sara Kramer Niebling, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Teis Esben Sondergaard
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of four different manufacturers' PDA media on the metabolite profile of four species of Fusarium, revealing statistically significant differences in intensity for 9 out of 10 metabolites analyzed using HPLC-HRMS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Klaus R. Westphal, Simone Bachleitner, Manja M. Severinsen, Mathias L. Brundto, Frederik T. Hansen, Trine Sorensen, Rasmus D. Wollenberg, Erik Lysoe, Lena Studt, Jens L. Sorensen, Teis E. Sondergaard, Reinhard Wimmer
Summary: The plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum was found to produce a new cyclic hexapeptide named fusahexin, and a biosynthetic model for it was proposed based on the structure of fusahexin and the domain architecture of NRPS4. NRPS4 gene cluster plays a significant role during infection and oxidative and osmotic stress, making it an important pathogen in plant infection.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Mikkel Rank Nielsen, Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Eva Mie Lang Spedtsberg, Trine Sorensen, Celine Petersen, Jens Muff, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Kare Lehmann Nielsen, Reinhard Wimmer, Donald Max Gardiner, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: The biosynthetic pathways for fungal polyketides have been reconstructed and expressed heterologously in yeast. The study found that FvPPT1 from Fusarium verticillioides showed the highest efficiency in producing the target polyketides. The results indicate that selecting an optimal PPTase partner can enhance the production of target polyketides.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Mahdi Nikbakht Fini, Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Jens Muff
Summary: This study focused on investigating the separation, concentration, and purification possibilities of valuable fungal pigments, produced by Fusarium solani, using membrane filtration. It was found that membrane filtration can effectively separate, concentrate, and purify the investigated fusarubins.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Celine Petersen, Trine Sorensen, Klaus R. Westphal, Lavinia Fechete, Teis E. Sondergaard, Jens L. Sorensen, Kare L. Nielsen
Summary: In the past two decades, whole-genome sequencing has greatly impacted genetic research in various kingdoms, including fungi. With the advancement of third-generation long-read DNA sequencing, highly contiguous assemblies can be obtained, but the challenge lies in extracting high molecular weight DNA, particularly from species with cell walls like fungi. Developing efficient extraction and purification methods is crucial for obtaining quality DNA for sequencing, and the study successfully demonstrated two straightforward methods for extracting high quality, high molecular weight DNA from filamentous ascomycetes, resulting in complete and contiguous assemblies for haploid fungal genomes.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Review
Mycology
Marie L. Overgaard, Trine Aalborg, Emil J. Zeuner, Klaus R. Westphal, Frederik A. Lau, Vibeke S. Nielsen, Kasper B. Carstensen, Emil A. Hundeboll, Tia A. Westermann, Gustav G. Rathsach, Jens L. Sorensen, Jens C. Frisvad, Reinhard Wimmer, Teis E. Sondergaard
Summary: Apiospora and Arthrinium have undergone significant changes in phylogenetic affiliation in the past decade. They have recently been divided into two separate clades, with Apiospora being the majority and several species changing from Arthrinium to Apiospora. The first genome annotation was available in 2020, revealing the high potential for novel secondary metabolite production in these unexplored genera. This review presents the current knowledge of 269 secondary metabolites isolated from these fungal genera, highlighting compounds with known biological or toxic effects. (c) 2022 British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
FUNGAL BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Charlotte O. O. Wilhelmsen, Alexandros Pasadakis-Kavounis, Johan V. V. Christiansen, Thomas Isbrandt, Mads R. R. Almind, Thomas O. O. Larsen, Johan Hjelm, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Jens Muff
Summary: This study demonstrates the influence of phoenicin and its dimer on the capacity performance of phoenicin as a negolyte in a redox flow battery. The biosynthesized fungal quinone mix of phoenicin shows the ability to store four electrons per phoenicin molecule in a redox flow battery negolyte. A detailed analysis is conducted to understand the chemical stability of phoenicin in an alkaline environment.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Charlotte Overgaard Wilhelmsen, Jens Muff, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: The production of renewable energy from solar panels and windmills has been growing rapidly in recent years. However, a major obstacle in the green transition is the need for cost-efficient energy storage to fully exploit their potential. A promising solution is the use of redox flow batteries (RFBs) with quinones as electron carriers. Currently, quinones derived from crude oil are used, which does not align with the goal of sustainable energy production from renewable sources. Recent research has shown that filamentous fungi have great potential for quinone production, and a proof-of-concept RFB using fungal-produced quinones has been developed. We discuss the challenges that need to be addressed before fungal-produced quinone RFBs can be applied in the green transition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan Struckmann Poulsen, Christina Kjaerager Nielsen, Nina Ahrendt Pedersen, Reinhard Wimmer, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Nadieh de Jonge, Jeppe Lund Nielsen
Summary: Proteomics analysis revealed that combining methicillin with three cannabinoid compounds could decrease energy production and increase the production of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2), which is associated with antibiotic resistance in MRSA.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mihaela Bejenari, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: 6-methylsalicylic acid (6-MSA) is a small polyketide produced by fungi through horizontal gene transfer, serving as a metabolic hub for the production of various complex compounds. The most significant metabolite derived from 6-MSA is the mycotoxin patulin. Other important products include terreic acid and yanuthones. The aculin biosynthetic pathway demonstrates the most advanced modification of 6-MSA, involving non-ribosomal peptide synthase and terpene cyclase. This review summarizes the pathways originating from 6-MSA, gene clusters involved, and resulting biosynthetic pathways.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Celine Petersen, Trine Sorensen, Mikkel R. Nielsen, Teis E. Sondergaard, Jens L. Sorensen, David A. Fitzpatrick, Jens C. Frisvad, Kare L. Nielsen
Summary: In this study, researchers sequenced 93 Penicillium isolates and established a species phylogeny and pangenome. They found that approximately half of the genes are shared among 98 or more isolates. They also discovered 15 lateral gene transfer events that have played a role in the evolution and adaptation of these fungi. This comprehensive characterization of the Penicillium genus surpasses single-reference genomes and captures the genetic variation.
Article
Mycology
Manja Molgaard Severinsen, Klaus Ringsborg Westphal, Mikael Terp, Trine Sorensen, Anders Olsen, Simone Bachleitner, Lena Studt-Reinhold, Reinhard Wimmer, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: This study investigates the life cycle and metabolome of the pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum, which has significant impacts on agriculture and human health. A previously unknown polyketide from the PKS2 gene cluster was identified and named fugralin A and B. Functional characterization showed that these compounds are not produced during infection and do not affect pathogenicity or visual growth. The compounds are volatile, suggesting potential functions for further investigation.
FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Mihaela Bejenari, Line Nielsen, Eva Mie Lang Spedtsberg, Mikkel Rank Nielsen, Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Foong May Yeong
Summary: This study introduces a method for gene recombinational cloning, which is suitable for the assembly of large plasmids and heterologous production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The research team developed an exercise module for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience and skills in molecular techniques and gene manipulation.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Charlotte Overgaard Wilhelmsen, Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Oliver Nolte, Ivan A. Volodin, Johan Vormsborg Christiansen, Thomas Isbrandt, Trine Sorensen, Celine Petersen, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Kare Lehmann Nielsen, Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen, Jens Christian Frisvad, Martin D. Hager, Ulrich S. Schubert, Jens Muff, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) are gaining interest as a potential solution for sustainable energy storage. In this study, a new electrolyte based on the fungal compound phoenicin was proposed and produced through biosynthesis, offering scalability. It was demonstrated that biologically produced phoenicin as a negative electrolyte showed promising performance in an RFB, and the stability of the active material was investigated.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhongting Tang, Ariya Sangwongwanich, Yongheng Yang, Charlotte Overgaard Wilhelmsen, Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Jens Laurids Sorensen, Jens Muff, Frede Blaabjerg
Summary: Aqueous organic redox-flow batteries (AORFBs) are promising for large-scale renewable energy integration due to their low-cost, high safety, material-abundant and environment-friendly features. The lifetime model characterized in this paper provides important guidance for the development and optimization of AORFBs, as well as for power converter design to enhance performance and integration.
2021 IEEE ENERGY CONVERSION CONGRESS AND EXPOSITION (ECCE)
(2021)
