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A putative ABC transporter gene, CcT1, is involved in beauvericin synthesis, conidiation, and oxidative stress resistance in Cordyceps chanhua

Summary

Cordyceps chanhua is a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine that produces a compound called beauvericin, which has health benefits but can be toxic in high amounts. Researchers discovered a gene called CcT1 that controls how much beauvericin the fungus makes. By removing this gene, they could reduce beauvericin production by 64%, making the fungus safer to use as medicine while maintaining other beneficial properties.

Background

Cordyceps chanhua is a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus that produces beauvericin (BEA), a cyclic hexadepsipeptide with therapeutic potential but also mycotoxic properties. ABC transporters are membrane proteins involved in fungal metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. An ABC transporter gene, CcT1, was identified within the BEA synthesis gene cluster of C. chanhua.

Objective

To elucidate the regulatory role of the ABC transporter CcT1 in BEA biosynthesis and biological function in C. chanhua. To investigate the impact of CcT1 disruption on BEA production, vegetative growth, conidiation, stress response, and host pathogenicity.

Results

CcT1 disruption resulted in 64.22% reduction in BEA production and downregulation of key biosynthetic genes including KIVR, pyruvate kinase, and BCAT. The ΔCcT1 strain showed reduced growth under nutrient-limited conditions, decreased conidiation and synnema formation, but enhanced oxidative stress resistance. CcT1 disruption impaired cuticle penetration but did not significantly affect virulence in G. mellonella.

Conclusion

CcT1 is a multifaceted regulator influencing BEA biosynthesis, nutrient assimilation, reproductive processes, stress responses, and host interaction. Targeting CcT1 presents a promising strategy for reducing BEA content through molecular breeding to enhance the safety and efficacy of C. chanhua as a medicinal agent.
  • Published in:Microbiology Spectrum,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40401930, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03425-24
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