Bifunctional Sesquiterpene/Diterpene Synthase Agr2 from Cyclocybe aegerita Gives Rise to the Novel Diterpene Cyclocybene

ACS Chem Biol. 2024 Oct 18;19(10):2144-2151. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00178. Epub 2024 Sep 18.

Abstract

Cyclocybe aegerita is a model mushroom belonging to the fungal phylum Basidiomycota. Among others, C. aegerita is known for its diverse terpenome, containing various volatile and nonvolatile terpenes and terpenoids. Here, we deepen the knowledge on their biosynthetic pathways by studying the terpene synthase Agr2 in detail. In contrast to previous studies, the heterologous production of Agr2 in the agaric host Coprinopsis cinerea revealed the production of two terpenes, one of which was the already known sesquiterpene viridiflorene. The other one was a so far unknown diterpene that had to be isolated and purified by means of preparative RP-HPLC for structure elucidation. 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments revealed the compound as the novel diterpene cyclocybene, pointing to the bifunctionality of Agr2 to produce both a sesquiterpene and a diterpene.

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases* / genetics
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases* / metabolism
  • Diterpenes* / chemistry
  • Diterpenes* / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Sesquiterpenes* / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes* / metabolism

Substances

  • Diterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • terpene synthase