A MYST Histone Acetyltransferase Modulates Conidia Development and Secondary Metabolism in Pestalotiopsis microspora, a Taxol Producer

Reverse genetics is a promising strategy for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms involved in secondary metabolism and development in fungi. Previous studies have demonstrated the key role of histone acetyltransferases in transcriptional regulation. Here, we identified a MYST family histone acetyltransferase encoding gene, mst2, in the filamentous fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora NK17 and revealed its role in development and secondary metabolism. The gene mst2 showed temporal expression that corresponded to the conidiation process in the wild-type strain. Deletion of mst2 resulted in serious growth retardation and impaired conidial development, e.g., a delay and reduced capacity of conidiation and aberrant conidia. Overexpression of mst2 triggered earlier conidiation and higher conidial production. Additionally, deletion of mst2 led to abnormal germination of the conidia and caused cell wall defects. Most significantly, by HPLC profiling, we found that loss of mst2 diminished the production of secondary metabolites in the fungus. Our data suggest that mst2 may function as a general mediator in growth, secondary metabolism and morphological development.