Genomic and Transcriptomic Approaches Provide a Predictive Framework for Sesquiterpenes Biosynthesis in Desarmillaria tabescens CPCC 401429

Terpenoids constitute a structurally diverse class of secondary metabolites with wide applications in the pharmaceutical, fragrance and flavor industries. Desarmillaria tabescens CPCC 401429 is a basidiomycetous mushroom that could produce anti-tumor melleolides. To date, no studies have been conducted to thoroughly investigate the sesquiterpenes biosynthetic potential in Desarmillaria or related genus. This study aims to unravel the phylogeny, terpenome, and functional characterization of unique sesquiterpene biosynthetic genes of the strain CPCC 401429. Herein, we report the genome of the fungus containing 15,145 protein-encoding genes. MLST-based phylogeny and comparative genomic analyses shed light on the precise reclassification of D. tabescens suggesting that it belongs to the genus Desarmillaria. Gene ontology enrichment and pathway analyses uncover the hidden capacity for producing polyketides and terpenoids. Genome mining directed predictive framework reveals a diverse network of sesquiterpene synthases (STSs). Among twelve putative STSs encoded in the genome, six ones are belonging to the novel minor group: diverse Clade IV. In addition, RNA-sequencing based transcriptomic profiling revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the fungus CPCC 401429 in three different fermentation conditions, that of which enable us to identify noteworthy genes exemplified as STSs coding genes. Among the ten sesquiterpene biosynthetic DEGs, two genes including DtSTS9 and DtSTS10 were selected for functional characterization. Yeast cells expressing DtSTS9 and DtSTS10 could produce diverse sesquiterpene compounds, reinforced that STSs in the group Clade IV might be highly promiscuous producers. This highlights the potential of Desarmillaria in generating novel terpenoids. To summarize, our analyses will facilitate our understanding of phylogeny, STSs diversity and functional significance of Desarmillaria species. These results will encourage the scientific community for further research on uncharacterized STSs of Basidiomycota phylum, biological functions, and potential application of this vast source of secondary metabolites.