Biosynthesis of <i>p</i>-Terphenyls in <i>Aspergillus ustus</i> Implies Enzymatic Reductive Dehydration and Spontaneous Dibenzofuran Formation

Abstract

p -Terphenyls contain a central benzene ring substituted with two phenyl residues at its para positions. Heterologous expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster from Aspergillus ustus led to the formation of four new p -terphenyl derivatives. Gene deletion experiments proved the formation and reductive dehydration of the terphenylquinone atromentin, followed by O-methylation and prenylation. Spontaneous dibenzofuran formation led to the final products. These results provide new insights into the biosynthesis of p -terphenyls in fungi and dibenzofuran formation in the biosynthesis of numerous natural products.

Topics & Concepts