Identification of Ophiobolin F Synthase by a Genome Mining Approach: A Sesterterpene Synthase from Aspergillus clavatus

During a screening of putative diterpene synthase genes found in public databases using the Aspergillus oryzae expression system, it was found that a single transformant with the ACLA_76850 gene from A. clavatus produced a sesterterpene alcohol, ophiobolin F, and three minor sesterterpene hydrocarbons. The sesterterpene synthase has two catalytically independent domains (prenyltransferase/terpene cyclase) which are homologous to those of diterpene synthase, fusicoccadiene synthase. Coevolution of both domains and reaction mechanisms of these terpene synthases are discussed.