Fungi are known for their ability to produce bioactive small molecules. Production
of fungal secondary metabolites is a special process that occurs only under specific
environmental conditions or at a certain stage in their life cycle. Many microorganisms
harbor significant numbers of secondary-metabolite-encoding biosynthetic pathways,
but only a fraction of their small-molecule products are detected in the laboratory.
The potential for using epigenetic modifying agents to induce changes in fungal secondary
metabolism have only recently come to light [1]. In a continuation of our studies
for the discovery of novel metabolites from filamentous fungi, the effect of application
of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors has been
investigated, as well as the use of synthetic adsorbent resins in the production of
secondary metabolites in strains of the mycophilous fungus Mycogone, in liquid fermentations. The strains have been cultivated in the presence and absence
of the epigenetic chemical agents. The metabolic profiling of the extracts were compared
using HPTLC and HPLC methods and it was concluded that the epigenetic tools enhanced
in the strains both the over expression of specific secondary metabolites, as well
as the production of novel secondary metabolites.
References: 1. Cichewicz R.H. Nat. Prod. Rep., 2010, 27, 11–22
