Extending the Structural Diversity of Labdane Diterpenoids from Marine-Derived Fungus Talaromyces sp. HDN151403 Using Heterologous Expression

TL;DR: Thirteen labdane diterpene derivatives, including five undescribed ones named talarobicins A–E (3–7), were discovered via heterologous expression of a silent BGC (labd) in Aspergillus nidulans, and their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated using extensive MS and NMR spectroscopic methods, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations.

Abstract: Heterologous biosynthesis has become an effective means to activate fungal silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and efficiently utilize fungal genetic resources. Herein, thirteen labdane diterpene derivatives, including five undescribed ones named talarobicins A–E (3–7), were discovered via heterologous expression of a silent BGC (labd) in Aspergillus nidulans. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated using extensive MS and NMR spectroscopic methods, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. These labdanes belong to four skeleton types, and talarobicin B (4) is the first 3,18-dinor-2,3:4,18-diseco-labdane diterpene with the cleavage of the C2–C3 bond in ring A and the decarboxylation at C-3 and C-18. Talarobicin B (4) represents the key intermediate in the biosynthesis of penioxalicin and compound 13. The combinatorial heterologous expression and feeding experiments revealed that the cytochrome P450 enzymes LabdC, LabdE, and LabdF were responsible for catalyzing various chemical reactions, such as oxidation, decarboxylation, and methylation. All of the compounds are noncytotoxic, and compounds 2 and 8 displayed inhibitory effects against methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) and Bacillus cereus.