Mycology

Fungal secondary metabolism and biosynthesis

Fungi produce a vast and complex array of chemical compounds known as secondary metabolites. While not essential for their basic growth, these molecules play critical roles in how fungi interact with their environment, defend against competitors, and communicate. The genetic blueprints for these compounds are neatly organized into biosynthetic gene clusters. Thanks to breakthroughs in genomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology, we are now able to explore these pathways like never before, even awakening "silent" gene clusters to uncover novel molecules. This Article Collection aims to bring together the latest research and cutting-edge perspectives in this dynamic field.

Understanding fungal secondary metabolism is vital for both science and society. Many of our most important medicines, including the antibiotic penicillin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, and cholesterol-lowering statins, originated from fungi. As we face growing challenges like antibiotic resistance, the fungal kingdom represents a massive, untapped resource for discovering new drugs. On the other hand, some fungal metabolites are harmful mycotoxins that can contaminate food supplies, posing a significant threat to global health and food security. By studying how these compounds are made, we can unlock new therapeutic solutions and develop better strategies to protect our food.

This Article Collection will explore the multifaceted world of fungal secondary metabolism and biosynthesis. We invite contributions on a range of subtopics, including but not limited to: (1) The discovery, structure, and function of novel secondary metabolites; (2) The use of genomics and bioinformatics to identify and analyze biosynthetic gene clusters; (3) The genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate these pathways; (4) The application of synthetic biology and heterologous expression to produce new compounds; and (5) The ecological roles and evolutionary origins of fungal secondary metabolites. We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.

5 Keywords:

1. Fungal secondary metabolites
2. Biosynthesis
3. Synthetic biology
4. Genomic mining
5. Metabolic regulation

Guest Advisors

Professor Hideaki Oikawa is a leading authority in bioorganic chemistry and the biosynthesis of natural products. His present research focuses on the genome mining of novel fungal natural products, and reaction mechanism on C–C bond forming enzymes in the natural product biosynthesis. His work provides fundamental insights into nature's chemical strategies and inspires new approaches in synthetic biology. For further details about Prof. Oikawa’s professional profile, please visit https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6947-3397 or contact him at [email protected].

Professor Chengwei Liu is an accomplished researcher at Northeast Forestry University, focusing on the biosynthesis of natural products and synthetic biology. His research group is dedicated to uncovering novel secondary metabolites from macrofungi, such as mushrooms and wood-decaying fungi, which are abundant in forest ecosystems. Professor Liu employs cutting-edge techniques, including heterologous expression and CRISPR genome editing, to elucidate complex biosynthetic pathways and activate silent gene clusters. His work is instrumental in discovering new bioactive compounds with potential for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. For further details about Prof. Liu’s professional profile, please visit https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2746-2080 or contact him at [email protected].

Associate Professor Jianzhao Qi is an expert at the Edible Fungi Research Center at Northwest A&F University, specializing in how large fungi (mushrooms) create natural products. His research focuses on discovering compounds with anti-tumor and other useful activities from medicinal and edible mushrooms, and he works to understand the unique biological pathways used to make them. He applies synthetic biology and green manufacturing techniques to efficiently produce these complex active ingredients. His work is significant for developing new drugs and functional foods derived from these fungal sources. For further details about Prof. Qi’s professional profile, please visit https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1418-873X or contact him at [email protected].

Disclosure Statement: Guest Advisors declare no conflict of interest regarding this work.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review. Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

To submit your papers to this Article Collection, please:

1. Check "yes" for the question, "Are you submitting your paper for a specific special issue or article collection?"
2. Select the Article Collection ‘Fungal secondary metabolism and biosynthesis’ from the drop-down menu under the question, "Special Issue or Article Collection Name."

Please contact Changluan Zhou at [email protected] with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.