[0001] The present invention relates to a newly identified gene cluster, in particular to newly identified polynucleotides within said gene cluster, as well as to the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides, and to their production and uses, as well as their variants and their uses. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing hydroxylated protoilludene and/or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters by using the newly identified polynucleotides/polypeptides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Due to the fact that the prevalence of microbial pathogens with resistance towards standard antibiotic therapy constantly increases, research has started to focus on the search and development of new antimicrobial drugs with novel modes of action. Natural products are traditionally a rich source of bioactive compounds, but although terpenoids are by far the largest class of natural products there are only three approved antimicrobial drugs in the terpenoid family and all three are semisynthetic derivatives of the fungal natural product pleuromutilin (tiamulin, valnemulin and retapamu- lin).

[0003] Basidiomycetes are a particularly rich source of complex, structurally diverse, and bioactive sesquiterpenoids, and certain protoilludene-type sesquiterpenoid aryl esters from the genus Armillaria are promising leads for the development of new antimicrobial drugs. The genus Armillaria, also commonly known as the honey mushroom, is currently classified in the family Physalacriaceae and comprises more than 600 species worldwide. Armillaria species are regarded not only as edible mushrooms, but also as notorious root pathogens attacking hardwood trees and conifers, as well as fruit trees and grapevine.

[0004] Member of the genus Armillaria are known for the production of two types of sesquiterpenoid protoilludene type aryl esters, which are divided according to the position of the double bond into armillylorsellinates and melleolides. Today more than 50 armillylorsellinate and melleolide structures are known from Armillaria spp., which makes them one of the most diverse groups of natural products known from fungi.

[0005] Whilst the biosynthesis of some terpenes, in particular of plants origin - like menthol, artemisinin or taxol - have been extensively studied in the past, little is known about the synthesis of the vast majority, in particular of terpenes produced by fungi.

[0006] Protoilludene type aryl esters are built from a sesquiterpenoid protoil- ludanol alcohol and orsellinic acid derived aromatic moiety. The biosynthesis of all melleolide and armillylorsellinate type sesquiterpenoids are thought to be derived from the cyclization of the universal sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl-diphosphate to protoilludene. The protoilludene ring system is then subject to several hydroxylation reactions, and the resulting protoilludanol alcohols are then subject to esterification at the C5-hydroxy position with polyketide orsellinic acid derivatives.

[0007] Whereas orsellinic acid and derivatives are biosynthesized by numerous microorganisms, and protoilludenes are widespread in homobasidiomycetes, the coupling of both seems to be unique to the genus Armillaria.

[0008] Since, as mentioned already above, melleolides and armillyloreselli- nates, in medicine, are of high interest due to their potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity, it would be desirable to have them specifically produced or enriched in a controlled way.

[0009] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide for new and improved tools by means of which a targeted production, either homologous or heterologous, can be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the invention, this and other objects are achieved by providing an isolated or synthetic or recombinant polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide with cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase activity and comprising or consisting of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8 of the attached sequence listing; b) a nucleic acid sequence complementary to SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8; c) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions to the nucleic acid sequences defined in a) and b) or their complementary strands.

[0011] In particular, this and other objects are further solved by a gene cluster comprising or consisting of the following genes: Armillaria gallica cytochrome-P450- monooxygenase 1 , Armillaria gallica cytochrome-P450-monooxygenase 2, Armillaria ga///ca-P450-monooxygenase 3, Armillaria gallica protoilludene synthase, Armillaria gallica cytochrome-P450-monooxygenase 4, wherein the genes are arranged in the order as mentioned. [0012] The objects are further achieved by the use of said polynucleotides or the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides for producing a hydroxylated protoilludene or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester, and by a respective method for producing a hydroxylated protoilludene and/or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester.

[0013] Also, the invention provides for the use of the above mentioned gene cluster for producing a hydroxylated protoilludene or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester, and by a respective method using the gene cluster for producing a hydroxylated protoilludene and/or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester.

[0014] The objects are completely achieved in that way.

[0015] The above mentioned polynucleotides, each encode a Armiallaria gallica polypeptide with monooxygenase activity, which has - according to the inventors' knowledge - been identified, purified and enzymatically characterized for the first time. These newly identified polynucleotides catalyze hydroxylation reactions converting 6- protoilludene into mono- or multiple hydroxylated 6-protoilloudene, the reaction of which represents a crucial step in the synthesis of hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters. Thus, by having identified the gene encoding the monooxygenases, a valuable and effective tool has been found and generated to influence the production of hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters: the genes can, either single or in a cluster also comprising protoilludene synthase, heterologously expressed or overexpressed in order to generate multiple copies of said genes, by means of which the cyclization rate and the generation of hydroxylated protoilludenes in the synthesis of sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters is elevated, and, thus, increasing the production of sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters. In that way, highly enriched hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene- type aryl esters may be gained, which can either be used as potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic substances and may be used as therapeutic tools in all different fields of treatment and medicine, or which can be further modified to yield other antimicrobial substances derived from said hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene- type aryl esters. [0016] According to the present invention, the term "polynucelotide(s)" generally refers to any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxyribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA, "Polynucleotide(s)" include, without limitation, single- and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions or single-, double- and triple-stranded regions, single- and double-stranded RNA, and RNA that is mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically, double-stranded, or triple-stranded regions, or a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions. In addition, "polynucleotide" as used herein refers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. The strands in such regions may be from the same molecule or from different molecules. The regions may include all of one or more of the molecules, but more typically involve only a region of some of the molecules. One of the molecules of a triple-helical region often is an oligonucleotide. As used herein, the term "polynucleo- tide(s)" also includes DNAs or RNAs as described above that contain one or more modified bases. Thus, DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons are "polynucleotide(s)" as that term is intended herein. Moreover, DNAs or RNAs comprising unusual bases, such as inosine, or modified bases, such as tritylated bases, to name just two examples, are polynucleotides as the term is used herein. It will be appreciated that a great variety of modifications have been made to DNA and RNA that serve many useful purposes known to those of skill in the art. The term "polynucleotide(s)" as it is employed herein embraces such chemically, enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of polynucleotides, as well as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses and cells, including, for example, simple and complex cells. Also, "Polynucleo- tide(s)" also embraces short polynucleotides often referred to as oligonucleotide(s).

[0017] "Polypeptide(s)" refers to any peptide or protein comprising two or more amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds. "Polypep- tide(s)" refers to both short chains, commonly referred to as peptides, oligopeptides and oligomers and to longer chains generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides may contain amino acids other than the 20 gene encoded amino acids. "Polypeptide(s)" include those modified either by natural processes, such as processing and other post- translational modifications, but also by chemical modification techniques. Such modifications are well described in basic texts and in more detailed monographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature, and they are well known to those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification may be present in the same or varying degree at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a given polypeptide may contain many types of modifications. Modifications can occur anywhere in a polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains, and the amino or carboxyl termini. Modifications include, for example, acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, glycosylation, lipid attachment, sulfation, gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, hydroxylation and ADP- ribosylation, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins, such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. Polypeptides may be branched or cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched circular polypeptides may result from post-translational natural processes and may be made by entirely synthetic methods, as well.

[0018] "Isolated" means altered "by the hand of man" from its natural state, i.e., if it occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living organism is not "isolated," but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is "isolated", as the term is employed herein. Similarly, a "synthetic" sequence, as the term is used herein, means any sequence that has been generated synthetically and not directly isolated from a natural source. "Recombinant" means genetically engineered DNA prepared by transplanting or splicing genes from one species into the cells of a host organism of a different species. Such DNA becomes part of the host's genetic makeup and is replicated.

[0019] The term "polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide" as used herein encompasses polynucleotides that include a sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention, particularly monooxygenases of Armillaria gallica, having the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1 to 4. The term also encompasses polynucleotides that include a single continuous region or discontinuous regions encoding the polypeptide (for example, interrupted by integrated phage or an insertion sequence or editing) together with additional regions that also may contain coding and/or non-coding sequences.

[0020] "Variant(s)" as the term is used herein, is a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide respectively, but retains essential properties. A typical variant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide. Changes in the nucleotide sequence of the variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide. Nucleotide changes may result in amino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical variant of a polypeptide differs in amino acid sequence from another, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited so that the sequences of the reference polypeptide and the variant are closely similar overall and, in many regions, identical. A variant and reference polypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. A variant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide may be a naturally occurring such as an allelic variant, or it may be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of polynucleotides and polypeptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques, by direct synthesis, and by other recombinant methods known to the persons skilled in the art.

[0021] Also included within the present invention and/or in the definition of variant polypeptide are "orthologous" polypeptides (orthologs), which are peptides encoded by genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene by speciation. Normally, orthologs retain the same function in the course of evolution.

[0022] In addition, the term "Host cell" or "host microorganism" is presently defined as a cell or microorganism or microorganism cell, which has been transformed or transfected, or is capable of transformation or transfection by an exogenous polynucleotide sequence, thus heterologously expressing the introduced polynucleotide. [0023] Presently and as generally understood, a "sesquiterpenoid protoilludene- type aryl ester" is to be understood to represent either an armillyloresellinate or a melle- olide. As such, they are built from an oxygenated sesquiterpenoid protoilludene and orsellinic acid.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the isolated polynucleotide consists of one the SEQ ID No. 5 to 9 of the attached sequence listing and encodes a polypeptide with monooxygnease activity (SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8) or represents a gene cluster comprising 4 monooxygenases and protoilludene synthase. SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8 represent the sequences of four different Armillaria gallica monooxygenases contained in the newly identified melleolides synthesis gene cluster of Armillaria gallica, which cluster also comprises the protoilludene synthase gene. SEQ ID No. 9 shows the sequence of the cluster.

[0025] SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8 as disclosed in the attached sequence listing are the four cDNA sequences, respectively, of the monooxygenases 1 to 4 as identified and characterized from Armillaria gallica. It is to be understood that also variants thereof, which have at least a sequence identity of 90% - and that might even be found in other Armillaria species - are also suitable and part of the invention, since with the newly identified monooxygenases valuable tools are provided by means of which similar monooxygenases, i.e. monooxygenases that slightly differ from SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8, may be identified by sequence comparison and subsequent enzymatically testing.

[0026] The invention also relates to vectors that comprise a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the invention, host microorganisms and/or host cells that are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and the production of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques.

[0027] Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce such polypeptides using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs of the invention. [0028] Thus, and in addition, the invention also concerns a vector, containing a nucleic acid sequence as defined above, encoding a polypeptide with monooxygenase activity, the nucleic acid sequence being operably linked to control sequences recognized by a host cell/microorganism transformed or transfected with the vector. According to one aspect of the invention, the vector is an expression vector, and, according to another aspect, the vector can be present in the form of a plasmid, cosmid, phage, liposome, or virus.

[0029] For recombinant production, host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate expression systems or portions thereof or polynucleotides of the invention. Introduction of a polynucleotide into the host cell can be effected by methods described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Davis et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, (1986), and Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

[0030] Thus, the polynucleotide according to the invention, may, e.g., be comprised in a vector which is to be stably transformed/transfected into host microorganism cells. In the vector, the polynucleotide of the invention is under control of an inducible promoter, so that the expression of the gene/polynucleotide can be specifically targeted, and, if desired, the gene or genes may be overexpressed in that way.

[0031] A great variety of expression systems can be used to produce the polypeptides of the invention. Such vectors include, among others, chromosomal, episomal and virus-derived vectors, e.g., vectors derived from bacterial plasmids, from bacteriophage, from transposons, from yeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomal elements, from viruses, and vectors derived from combinations thereof, such as those derived from plasmid and bacteriophage genetic elements, such as cos- mids and phagemids. The expression system constructs may contain control regions that regulate as well as engender expression. Generally, any system or vector suitable to maintain, propagate or express polynucleotides and/or to express a polypeptide in a host may be used for expression in this regard. The appropriate DNA sequence may be inserted into the expression system by any of a variety of well-known and routine techniques, such as, for example, those set forth in Sambrook et al., see above. [0032] In view of the above, the invention also concerns an isolated peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of :

[0033] (a) an amino acid sequence shown in one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4;

[0034] b) an amino acid sequence of an allelic variant of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4, wherein said allelic variant is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the opposite strand of a nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8, respectively;

[0035] c) an amino acid sequence of an ortholog of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4, wherein said ortholog is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the opposite strand of a nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8; and

[0036] (d) a fragment of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 contiguous amino acids and displays monooxygenase activity.

[0037] Also, the invention refers to a host cell/microorganism having been transformed/transfected with the polynucleotide according to the invention or containing a vector as defined above and in particular a microorganism or host cell which is selected from the group consisting of fungi including yeast and bacteria.

[0038] It is to be understood that the host microorganism heterologously expresses the newly identified polynucleotide, i.e. at least one of the monooxygenases identified herein, preferably in combination with a protoilludene synthase, or heterologously expresses the gene cluster as set forth further below.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, a host microorganism is used, with the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide with monooxygenase activity being adapted to the codon usage of the respective host microorganism. [0040] According to another embodiment of the invention, the host cell is a Saccharomyces spp., in particular Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an Aspergillus spp., in particular Aspergillus nidulans, a homobasidiomycete, in particular a homobasidiomycete of the genus Armillaria, in particular Armillaria gallica, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria ostoyae, and other members of the genus Armillaria.

[0041] Yet another aspect of the invention concerns a method for producing melleolides comprising the steps of:

[0042] a) growing, under suitable nutrient conditions permissive for the production of a hydroxylated protoilludene or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester, a microorganism as defined claimed above; and

[0043] b) isolating said hydroxylated protoilludene or said sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester from the host microorganism or the medium of its growth.

[0044] According to an aspect of the invention, the hydroxylated protoilludene is selected from 8-alpha-hydroxy-6-protoilludene; 8-alpha,13-hydroxy-6-protoilludene; and the sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester is selected from melleolide I, armillari- dine, melleolide A, melleolide F, melleolide B, melleolide K, armillyl evernitate, armillarin, arnamiol, melleolide J, armillarivin, 10-alpha-hydroxy-melleolide, armillyl orsellinate, melleolide E, 1 -O-trifluoroacetyl-melleolide E, melleolide H, 5'-0-methyl-melledonal, melledonal, arnamial, melleolide C, melleolide D, melledonal A, melledonal C, melledonol, dehydroarmillyloresllinate, armillane, armillaridin.

[0045] According to yet another aspect, the method comprising the above mentioned steps consist of the following steps:

[0046] a) growing, under suitable nutrient conditions, a host microorganism transformed or transfected to comprise a nucleic acid sequence selected from a) SEQ-ID- Nos. 5 to 8 from the enclosed sequence protocol, b) a nucleic acid sequence complementary to SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8, and c) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions to the nucleic acid sequences defined in a) and b) or their complementary strands;

[0047] b) overexpressing the nucleic acid sequence;

[0048] c) thus, enhancing hydroxylated protoilludene or sesquiterpenoid pro- toilludene-type aryl ester production in the microorganism cell, and

[0049] d) isolating said hydroxylated protoilludene or sesquiterpenoid protoil- ludene-type aryl ester from the microorganism or the medium of its growth.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the invention also relates to a method for producing a hydroxylated protoilludene and/or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester, the method comprising the steps of

[0051] a) providing a host microorganism that has been transformed to at least heterologously express all of the following: i) a protoilludene synthase, and ii) at least one cytochrome-P450-monooxygenase, wherein at least one of (i) or (ii) is foreign to said host microorganism,

[0052] b) growing, under suitable nutrient conditions permissive for the production of the sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters, the host microorganism provided in step a); thus producing the hydroxylated protoilludene, and, as the case may be, the sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester.

[0053] The host microorganism employed in the method according to the invention thus comprises at least two genes, i.e. a protoilludene synthase and at least one, cytochrome-P450-monooxygenases, preferably CYP-Arm1 to 4 of Armillaria gallica as identified in the present invention.

[0054] Accordingly, the method can further comprise the step c): [0055] c) isolating said hydroxylated protoilludene and/or said sesquiterpe- noid protoilludene-type aryl ester from the host microorganism or the medium of its growth.

[0056] In addition, in the method according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the protoilludene synthase and/or the cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase is a protoilludene synthases and/or a cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase, respectively, from one of the following: Armillaria spp., in particular of Armillaria gallica and further preferred the CYP-Arm 1 , 2, 3 or 4 or CYP-Arm 1 to 4 monooxygenases as identified herein.

[0057] Thus, in a refinement of the method of the invention, the cytochrome P450-monooxygenase has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0058] a) an amino acid sequence shown in any of SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4 of the attached sequence listing;

[0059] b) an amino acid sequence of an allelic variant of an amino acid sequence shown in any of SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4, wherein said allelic variant is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the opposite strand of a nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8;

[0060] c) an amino acid sequence of an ortholog of an amino acid sequence shown in any of SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 4, wherein said ortholog is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the opposite strand of a nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID Nos. 5 to 8; and

[0061] d) a functional fragment of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 2, wherein said fragment comprises at least 10 contiguous amino acids, fulfilling the function of a cytochrome P450-monooxygenase. [0062] Also, in a refinement of the method of the invention, in step a) a microorganism is provided that has further been transformed to express a NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, preferably a NADPH:cytochrome reductase from Taxus chinensis.

[0063] This enzyme is introduced in order to improve the reduction of the heterologous cytochrome P450 enzyme in yeast.

[0064] According to a refinement of the host microorganism and/or the method according to the invention, the host microorganism provided in step a) is further transformed to express a 2-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase.

[0065] This enzyme can be introduced in order to increase flux though the mevalonic acid pathway to provide additional farnesyldiphosphate to boost the protoilludene biosynthesis.

[0066] It is to be understood that preferably the sesquiterpenoid protoilludene- type aryl ester is selected from melleolides and armillylorsellinates, in particular from mono-hydroxylated protoilludene, in particular 8-hydroxy-6-protoilludene, di-hydroxylated protoilludene, in particular 8, 13 hydroxy-6-protoilludene.

[0067] Accordingly, the invention also relates to the hydroxylated protoilludene or the sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester obtained from a method according to the invention.

[0068] Further, the present invention also relates to the use of a polynucleotide as identified herein, or of the vector as described herein, for the production of hydroxylated protoilludene and/or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters.

[0069] In addition, the present invention also relates to the use of a gene cluster comprising at least (i) a protoilludene synthase and (ii) at least one cytochrom-P450- monooxygenase for the production of a hydroxylated protoilludene and/or a sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester. [0001] In a preferred embodiment of the use and the method according to the invention, a gene cluster is used that has a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 9 of the attached sequence listing.

[0002] With the disclosed methods and the targeted expression of the protoil- ludene synthase and cytochrome-P450 monooxygenases it is possible to produce and accumulate hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters in the host microorganism or in the medium the host microorganism is contained in. It is to be understood that it lies within the skill and knowledge of a person skilled in the art, to supplement the host microorganism cell(s) or host microorganism cell culture with additional and/or essential precursors or other substances, nutrients or metabolites that might be necessary to complete or assist the enhanced hydroxylated protoilludene or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl ester production.

[0003] Accordingly, the present invention also relates to hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters obtained by the method as defined above. The thus generated hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters can be efficiently used as medicaments, e.g., for treating any bacteria-caused infection or disease.

[0004] In view of the above, the invention also refers to the use of a polynucleotide, the vector, or the polypeptide as defined above, respectively, for the production of hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters.

[0005] It is to be understood, that the production of hydroxylated protoilludenes or sesquiterpenoid protoilludene-type aryl esters according to the invention can be performed by means of a heterologous or homologous overexpression of the polynucleotide encoding for protoilludene synthase. Systems and methods, as well as the respective suitable host cells will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the teaching of this invention. [0006] Further advantages follow from the description of the embodiments and the attached drawings.

[0007] It goes without saying that the abovementioned features and the features which are still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and explained in more detail in the following description. In the figures:

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a scheme of melleolide I synthesis involving terpene biosynthesis part starting with cyclization of farnesyldiphosphate to 6-protoilludene, followed by oxygenation via cytochrome-P450-monooxygenases; final step is the attachment of orsellinic acid obtained from polyketide biosynthesis by an acyltransferase;

[0010] Fig. 2 shows a scheme of the terpene biosynthesis part of the melleolide gene cluster; the cluster contains the protoilludene synthase, four cytochrome- P450-monooxygenases and two hypothetic proteins (Fig. 2A); figures 2B to 2E display the sequences of the four identified cytochrome-P450-monooxygenases;

[0011] Fig. 3 shows Western Blot results of different samples from microsomal protein preparation of cytochrome-P450-monooxygenase CYP-Arm 1 to 4 expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae clones and the negative control;

[0012] Fig. 4 shows a non-radioactive assay and GC/MS analysis of solvent extract obtained from in-vivo feeding with 6-protoilludene: the extract of in-vivo feeding of the clone expressing CYP-Arm3 (B) reveals an additional peak in contrast to the negative control (A) at retention time 10.6 min; [0013] Fig. 5 shows a scheme of budding baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for production of a putative hydroxy-protoilludene;

[0014] Fig. 6 shows a scheme displaying the structure of hydroxy- protoilludene obtained from fermentation which was elucidated by NMR-spectroscopy as 8-hydroxy-protoilludene.

DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of some representatives of sesquit- erpenoid protoilludene type aryl esters, which are produced by member of the genus Armillaria. The two types of sesquiterpenoid protoilludene type aryl esters are divided according to the position of the double bond into armillylorsellinates and melleolides (Fig. 1 ).

[0016] Material & Methods

[0017] Strains and Growth Conditions: Armillaria gallica strain FU02472 was cultivated as described previously (Engels et al., "Cloning and Characterization of an Armillaria gallica cDNA encoding protoilludene synthase, which catalyzes the first committed step in the synthesis of antimicrobial melleolides, J. Biol. Chem. 286:6871 -6878 (2011 )). Yeast strain S. cerevisiae CEN.PK2-1 C (MATa, ura3-52, trp1 -289, Leu2-3_1 12, his3 Δ1 , MAL2-8 ^C , SUC2) was obtained from EUROSCARF (EUROpean Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Archive for Functional analysis) Universitat Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and maintained on SC minimal medium agar (Engels, et al., "Metabolic engineering of taxadiene biosynthesis in yeast as a first step towards TAxol production", Metab. Eng. 10, 201-206 (2008)). Buffered YP medium (2% w/v tryptone, 1 % w/v yeast extract and 50 mM MES, pH5.5) was used with 2 % w/v Glucose in batch cultivation and 2% w/v galactose in fed-batch fermentation for induction of the Gal promoter driven expression. Transformation of S. cerevisiae was done by using the lithium acetate method with selection previously described (Engels, et al., 2008). [0018] Genomic DNA Isolation and Library Construction: Armillaria gallica genomic DNA was isolated using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method (Murray and Thompson, 1980). For the genomic library construction the Lambda DASH M/BamHI vector kit in combination with the Gigapack III Gold packaging extracts were used according to the manufacturer's guidelines (Stratagene, Heidelberg, Germany). For the construction of an A. gallica genome walking library the Clontech (Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France) GenomeWalker™Universal Kit was used according to the manufacturer's protocol.

[0019] Library Screening, Genome Walking and Sequencing: Phage plagues were transferred to charged nylon membranes (GE Healthcare) and screened using ³² P labeled nucleic acid probes. For prehybridization and hybridization Roti®Hybrid Quick (Carl Roth, Karlsruhe, Germany) supplemented with 0,1 mg/ml salmon sperm DNA. For the labeling of probes the DecaLabel™DNA Labelling Kit (Fermentats, St. Leon-Rot, Germany; since 2010 Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used. Membranes were membranes were hybridized for 15 h at 65°C and then washed four times with diluted Roti®Hybrid Quick hybridization buffer (Roti®Hybrid Quick:H ₂ 0 1 :2 for 30 min 1 :5 for 30min and 1 :10 for twice for 10 min). Membranes were then exposed to X-ray film at -80°C for 4 days. Isolated positive cosmids were then sequence by primer walking. Obtained fragments from the genome walking PCR amplification were subcloned for DNA sequencing in the Zero Blunt® Cloning Kit (Invitrogen, Karlsruhe, Germany).

[0020] Heterologous expression of cytochrome P450 in yeast and functional testing via in-vivo feeding: All four A. gallica cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenas- es were cloned via gateway cloning into the galactose inducible yeast expression vector pYES-DEST52 (Invitrogen). For the heterologous expression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases the haploid yeast strain CEN.PK2-1 C was used.

[0021] To improve the reduction of the heterologous cytochrome P450 enzyme in yeast the Taxus chinensis NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase (Jennewein, et a/. , "Coexpression in yeast of Taxus cytochrome P450 reductase with cytochrome P450 oxygenases involved in Taxol biosynthesis" Biotechnol. Bioeng. 89:588-598 (2005)) was cloned into the pCM183 yeast expression vector for heterologous co-expression. For yeast microsomal fraction preparation approx. 5 g (wet weight) of galactose induced recombinant yeast biomass was used for spheroblast preparation. After spheroblast disruption using glass beads the resulting crude extract was cleared by centrifugation and ER membranes were harvested from the supernatant via a 105.000 g ultracentrifugation for three hours. For the functional testing via in-vivo feeding the cloned A. gallica cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were heterologously co-expressed with the T. chinensis cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. To the galactose induced strains either cold 6- protoilludene or tritium labeled [ ³ H]-6-protoilludene was used. After overnight incubation to the induced yeast cell cultures 1 ml of brine was added and the culture extracted three times with 5 ml of n-pentane. The organic solvent fractions were pooled and concentrated for radio-thin layer chromatography (TLC) or GC/MS analysis.

[0022] Fermentation of recombinant S. cerevisiae for the total synthesis of hy- droxyl-protoilludene For the total biosynthesis of sufficient amounts of hydroxyl- protoilludene for structure elucidation via NMR-analysis the CEN.PK2-1 C yeast strains co- expressing the A. gallica cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP-Arm3 with the T.

chinensis NADPH:cytochreome P450 reductase were transformed with a truncated version of the yeast HMG-CoA reductase 1 (Dimster-Denk, et al., "Feedback regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in Saccharomyces cerervisiae", Mol. Biol. Cell 5:655-665 (1994)) cloned pRS315 vector containing a PGK promoter and cyd transcription terminator. A. gallica protoilludene synthase was cloned into the pRS423 vector (complementing the yeast CEN.PK2-1 C histidine auxothropy) containing a Gall promoter and cyd transcription terminator (both obtained from the pYES-DEST52 vector).

[0023] NMR spectrometry: All NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX 500 MHz NMR spectrometer using a 5mm BBO probe with an z-gradient. Hydroxy- protoilludene samples were dissolved in deuterated-dichloromethane to a final concentration of about 50 mM and were calibrated with respect to the solvent signals at 5.32 ppm and 54.00 ppm, respectively. ¹³ C-NMR spectrum was acquired by 1000 scans with a 30° pulse and a delay of 2 seconds. The ³ C-DEPT-135 was acquired by 400 scans. All two- dimensional spectra were acquired using BRUKER standard pulse programs. The DQF- COSY and the gs-NOESY spectra were measured with 512 increments with two or four scans per increment, respectively. A mixing time of 600 ms were used for the NOESY spectrum. Heteronuclear correlation were measured by gs-HSQC and gs-HMBC spectra, acquired with 512 increments with four and eight scans per increment, respectively. Both spectra were optimized for ¹ J and ⁿ J couplings of 140 Hz and 8 Hz, respectively. Data were processed using TopSpin 1.3 (Bruker Biospin) and MestReNova 8.0 (MestreLab Research) software.

[0024] Results

[0025] Isolation of biosynthetic gene cluster using phage library screening and genome walking

[0026] For the isolation of the protoilludene type sesquiterpenoid gene cluster an Armillaria gallica genomic DNA phage library was constructed; screening was performed using A. gallica protoilludene synthase as a probe. Two of the obtained positive plaques from the second round of screening were used for cosmid DNA isolation. Restriction digestion of the obtained cosmid DNA showed identical fragment patterns which led to the conclusion that both cosmids are identical. The insert of one of the cosmids (cosmid 5.1 ) was then sequenced by primer walking which revealed a 22,902 kb fragment.

[0027] Analysis of the obtained sequence data identified the previously isolated protoilludene synthase genomic sequence and three sequences with high homology to cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenases of which one seems to be a partial sequence. In addition to the protoilludene synthase and the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases two sequences with unknown functions (marked as hypothetical proteins) and one sequence with high homology to a GMC oxidoreductase were identified in the ~ 23 kb fragment.

[0028] With protoilludene type aryl esters getting oxygenated at up to eight positions, the identification of three similar cytochrome P450 monooxygenases closely associated with the protoilludene synthase provided already a first indication of a potential clustering of the biosynthetic pathway in A. gallica. [0029] Next a genome walking library was constructed by ligating DNA adaptor fragments to restriction digested A. gallica genomic DNA and by sequencing the obtained PCR fragments the encountered partial cytochrome P450 monooxygenases of the sequence cosmid insert could be completed. Part of the newly identified sequence was then used to screen an additional 1 ,7x 10 ⁴ plaque forming units of the genomic phage library. The screening resulted in one clone which also proved positive in a subsequent second screening round. Sequencing of the cosmid insert revealed an A. gallica genomic fragment of 16.27 kb containing an additional cytochrome-P450-monooxygenase (named CYP-Arm1 ) in addition to three putative genes with homology to a DNA repair endonucle- ase, a transcriptional activator and a reverse transcriptase. A primer walking attempt 3' to the 5.1 cosmid fragment revealed no further genes with potential function in the terpenoid or polyketide biosynthesis. Fig. 2 shows the scheme of the terpene biosynthesis part of the melleolide gene cluster obtained from genomic DNA library screening with radioactive probes (protoilludene synthase); the cluster contains the protoilludene synthase ("Pro 1"), four cytochrome-P450-monooxygenases, referred to as "CYP-Arm1", "CYP-Arm2", "CYP- Arm3" and "CYP-Arm4", and two hypothetical proteins.

[0030] Amplification of the identified cytochrome P450 monooxyganses from A. gallica cDNA library

[0031] The sequencing of the cloned genomic DNA revealed a high degree of intron/exon fragmentations of the encountered four genomic cytochrome P450 monooxy- genase sequences. The genomic sequence of cytochrome-P450 CYP-Arm1 which spreads over 2158 bp contains 10 introns, with exons ranging in size from 38 bp to 537 bp. The genomic sequences of CYP-Arm2 and CYP-Arm3 show high similarity, both containing 1 1 introns and possessing an overall sequence identity of 73,8%. The analysis of CYP-Arm4 identified an open reading frame coding for a 509 amino acid protein, the deduced ORF is interrupted by 14 introns yielding exons of 4 to 190 bps in length. Further analysis of the isolated cytochrome-P450-monooxygenases on amino acid sequence level displays an amino acid sequence similarity of CYP-Arm1 , CYP-Arm2 and CYP-Arm 3 compared to CYP-Arm 4 of 32,5%, 34,0% and 34,0%, respectively. [0032] Based on these predicted sequences the corresponding cDNAs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from an A. gallica cDNA library. Sequencing of several subcloned PCR fragments revealed a significant fraction of the cDNA clones still containing introns. For all four cytochrome P450 monooxygenase however correct cDNA clones were obtained and subcloned for heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To facilitate the analysis of correct heterologous expression and localization to the yeast endoplasmic reticulum all four cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were histi- dine tagged at the C-terminus.

[0033] Heterologous Expression of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and functional examination.

[0034] For heterologous expression the four constructed expression constructs containing the isolated A. gallica cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were transformed into yeast CEN.PK2-1 C. After induction of the heterologous expression with L-galactose the recombinant yeast cells were harvested and correct localization of the heterologous expressed P450 examined via yeast microsomal protein preparation. The immune blotting analysis using a hexa-histidine specific primary antibody showed the correct localization of the heterologous expressed protein (with an expected molecular weight of 57 to 60 kDa) to the microsomal fraction (see fig. 3).

[0035] For functional testing of the cloned cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenases the Taxus chinensis NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase was co- expressed in the recombinant yeast. For an initial functional examination of the cloned A. gallica cytochrome P450 an in vivo feeding approach was taken. For the in vivo feeding experiment to an induced 5 ml yeast culture 15.000 cpm of ³ H-labeled 6-protoilluden were added and the cultures incubated overnight. The organic extracts of the individual yeast cultures were then analyzed via radio-thin-layer-chromatography (radio-TLC). The radio- TLC analysis for CEN.PK2-1 C expressing the CYP-Arm3 together with the T. chinensis cytochrome P450 reductase showed a nearly complete conversion of the feed tritium labeled 6-protoilludene to a more polar, putative hydroxylated product. Also with CYP- Arm2 a more polar product was observed, however conversion occurred here to a much lesser extent. Interestingly the re-extraction of the supplied 6-protoilludene from the yeast cell culture using n-pentane proved difficult, however seemed to improve significantly for hydroxylated derivatives.

[0036] For further analysis using GC/MS the recombinant yeast strains were feed with "cold" 6-protoilludene derived from biocatalysis based synthesis reaction using farnesyldiphsophate and recombinant protoilludene synthase. The induced and in vivo feed recombinant yeast cultures were then similarly extracted with n-pentane and the organic extract analysed via GC/MS. The GC-chromatogram of CYP-Arm3 showed in comparison to the negative control (only expressing the T. chinensis NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase) an additional peak (fig. 4). The obtained mass spectrum showed masses corresponding to a hydroxyprotoilludene product.

[0037] Total biosynthesis of hydroxyprotoilludene by recombinant S. cerevisiae.

[0038] Next, the structure of the potential hydroxyprotoilludene product was elucidated via NMR analysis. Since for proper structural elucidation of the compound several milligrams of pure product are required, it was necessary to obtain sufficient material. To this end, and for the purification of the compound to homogeneity and analysis a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was engineered capable of total biosynthesis of the putative hydroxyprotoilludene.

[0039] For the total fermentation the S. cerevisiae CEN.PK2-1 C strain transformed with episomal expression vectors containing the T. chinensis NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP-Arm3, a truncated version of the yeast HMG-CoA reductase (tHMGR) and the A. gallica protoilludene synthase was employed. The T. chinensis NADPH ytochrome P450 reductase was heterologously co- expressed in order to increase the reduction and thus catalytic activity of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. The truncated, deregulated version of the yeast HMG-CoA reductase was included to increase flux though the mevalonic acid pathway to provide additional farnesyldiphosphate to boost the protoilludene biosynthesis (see fig. 6). [0040] Table 1 below shows a summary of the transformed plasmids and the heterologously expressed genes in the recombinant S. cerevisiae strain for the production of hydroxyprotoilludene:

[0041] Table 1 :

[0042] Fermentation for total synthesis of the putative hydroxyprotoilludene product using the metabolic engineered strain was carried out on a 2.8 L scale. For the purification of the CYP-Arm3 product the culture supernatant, separated from the bio- mass, was employed.

[0043] Purification of hydroxyprotoilludene and structure elucidation

[0044] The obtained culture supernatant was extracted by addition of silica C18 RP powder and incubation at 4 °C for The silica C18 RP material was recovered by filtration and dried by lyophilisation. The extraction was performed using a Soxhiet apparatus with n-pentane as organic solvent. The resulting extract was concentrated under vacuum. The crude extract was then purified by chromatography on silica gel 60, chloro- propyl-functionalized silica gel and by reverse phase semiprep-HPLC. After three purification steps approximately 40 mg of pure product for NMR analysis could be obtained.

[0045] For structural determination both direct ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR analysis were performed. Table 2 below shows the complete ¹ H- and ¹³ C-NMR shifts and their assignments as a result of the two dimensional NMR spectra analysis:

[0046] Table 2.

Number ¹ H-signals ¹³ C-signals

1 1 ,35 (dd) 41 ,5 (T)

1 ,4 (dd)

2 2,4 (dt) 46,7 (D)

3 - 45,6 (S)

4 1 ,84 (2H, m) 36,6 (T)

5 2,5 (m) 25,0

2,7 (m)

6 - 141 ,5 (S)

7 - 126,8 (S)

8 3,98 (d, broad) 74, 5 (D)

9 2,2 (m) 51 ,1 (D)

10 1 ,16 (t) 46,9 (T)

11 - 40,05 (S)

12 1 ,06 (3H, s) 20,4 (Q)

13 1 ,64 (3H, s) 11 ,1 (Q)

14 1 ,11 (3H, s) 29,6 (Q)

15 0,99 (3H,s) 22,1 (Q)

-OH 1 ,47 (broad) - [0047] The analysis showed that the isolated compound was 8-hydroxy-6- protoilludene, which is why CYP-Arm 3 has been shown to act as an 8-alpha-hydroxylase. Further, the results showed, for the first time, the functional characterization - together with the elucidation of the molecular structure of the product - of a cytochrom-P450 monooxygenase mediated catalyzation to a sesquiterpene alcohol from a basidiomycete.

[0048] In a next step, it was elucidated whether the additional expression of CYP-Arm2 could lead to a di-hydroxylated protoilludene structure.

[0049] To this end, the plasmid set to be employed had to be adapted for the expression of a fifth foreign gene. The following table 3 shows the transformed plasmids and the heterologously expressed genes in the recombinant S. cerevisiae strain for the production of di-hydroxylated protoilludene:

[0050] Table 3:

Plasmid ORF Promoter Auxotrophy pCM183::P450-Rec/-tc cytochrome-P450-reducatse Pcyd Tryptophan

(TRP1) pRS315::fHMGf?-sc 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarly- PpGK Leucm(LEU2)

CoA-reductase pRS423::Pro7HIS6::CYP- protoilludene synthase and 2 X PGal1 Histidine Arm3H\S6 cytochrome-P450 monooxy(HIS3)

genase CYP-Arm3 pYES-DEST52::CYP- cytochrome-P450- PGal1 Uracil (URA3) Arm2H\S6 monooxygenase CYP-ARM2 [0051] For fermentation of a di-hydroxylated protoilludene, a fermentation was was carried out on a 3 L scale - analogously to the above described fermentation for the production of the mono-hydroxylated 8-alpha-6-protoilludene. For the purification of the product the culture supernatant, separated from the biomass, was subjected to a chloroform extraction. The concentrated extract was analyzed via GC/MS and LC/MS/MS - analogously to the isolation of the 8-alpha-6-protoilludene process.

[0052] Purification of di-hydroxylated protoilludene and structure elucidation

[0053] The obtained culture supernatant was extracted in chloroform-d1 and air dried, solved in deuterated solvent, and analyzed via GC/MS.

[0054] For further structural determination both direct ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR analysis were performed. Table 4 below shows the complete ¹ H- and ¹³ C-NMR shifts and their assignments as a result of the two dimensional NMR spectra analysis:

[0055] Table 4:

Number ¹ H-signals ¹³ C-signals

1 1 ,21 (dd) 41 ,2 (T)

1 ,32 (dd)

2 2,32 (dt) 46,1 (D)

3 - 45,6 (S)

4 1 ,78 (2H, m) 36,1 (T)

5 2,58 (m) 24,8

2,7 (m)

6 - 141 ,9 (S)

7 - 126,9 (S)

8 4,07 (d, broad) 74, 8 (D) 9 2,25 (m) 51 ,1 (D)

10 1 ,06 (t) 46,3 (T)

1 ,7(dd)

11 - 39,8 (S)

12 0,98 (3H, s) 20,2 (Q)

13 4,15 (3H, s) 59,0 (Q)

14 1 ,02 (3H, s) 29,5 (Q)

15 0,89 (3H, s) 27,0 (Q)

-OH (broad) -

[0056] The analysis of the spectra showed that the isolated compound was 8- alpha-13-hydroxy-6-protoilludene. As a consequence, the cytochrome-P450 monooxy- genase CYP-Arm2 has been characterized to act as a 13-hydroxylase.

[0057] With the described heterologously introduced biosynthesis, for the first time a di-hydroxylated sesquiterpene alcohol has been produced in S. cerevisiae and has been structurally characterized.

[0058] The identification of the gene cluster from A. gallica described herein, the identification of other sesquiterpene-biosynthesis pathways in basidiomycetes is possible.