Discovery and Characterization of a Fungal N-acetylglucosamine Transferase in the Biosynthesis of Furanone Glycosides

Malfilamentosides are a class of fungal secondary metabolites characterized by glycosylated furanone scaffold; however, the enzyme that catalyzes the O-glycosylation of the furanone core with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) has not yet been identified. In this study, we discovered and identified the biosynthetic gene cluster of the malfilamentosides. In vivo and in vitro investigations revealed that a glycosyltransferase, MftB, catalyzes the O-glycosylation of the furanone scaffold with GlcNAc. Furthermore, MftB exhibits broad promiscuity toward glycosyl donors and acceptors, highlighting its potential in glycoside production.