Victoria Link Limited

Massey University

Kyle Cornelius Van De Bittner

Matthew Joseph Nicholson

Emily Jane Parker

Craig John Van Dolleweerd

Leyla Yolanda Bustamante Rodriguez

Sarah Adeline Kessans

David Barry Scott

Nodulisporic acids (NAs) comprise a group of indole diterpenes known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of NAs by its natural producer,(sp.) is exceptionally difficult to achieve. The identification of genes responsible for NA production could enable biosynthetic pathway optimization to provide access to NAs for commercial applications. Obtaining useful quantities of NAs using published fermentations methods is challenging, making gene knockout studies an undesirable method to confirm gene function. Alternatively, heterologous gene expression ofgenes in a more robust host species likeprovides a way to rapidly identify the function of genes that play a role in NA biosynthesis. In this work, we identified the function of four secondary-metabolic genes necessary for the biosynthesis of nodulisporic acid F (NAF) and reconstituted these genes in the genome ofto enable heterologous production of NAF in this fungus.

Heterologous biosynthesis of nodulisporic acid

Growing community of inventors

Wellington, New Zealand

Kyle Cornelius Van De Bittner