Biosynthetic Pathways of Fungal Pigments

Fungal pigments constitute a diverse array of secondary metabolites that serve protective, ecological and industrial roles. The most widespread class comprises melanins, notably those derived from 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), which are synthesised via polyketide and tyrosine‐derived pathways respectively. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) initiate assembly of long carbon backbones by successive condensation of simple acyl‐CoA units, with chain length and cyclisation patterns determined by domain architecture and accessory enzymes. Tailoring steps such as hydrolysis, shortening or oxidation sculpt the aromatic cores of melanins and anthraquinones, while further modifications—methylation, glycosylation or halogenation—fine-tune chromatic and functional properties. Gene clusters encoding PKSs and accessory factors are often co-regulated by pathway-specific transcription factors, permitting coordinated expression in response to developmental or environmental cues. Beyond melanins and anthraquinones, fungi produce carotenoid-like polyenes and perylenequinone toxins through related modular enzymatic systems, underlining the evolutionary adaptability of biosynthetic machinery. Insights into structural domains, chain-length control mechanisms and interconnection with toxin biosynthesis have opened avenues for biotechnological exploitation: from novel natural colourants and UV-protective additives to heterologous production platforms for high-value compounds.

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Biosynthetic Pathways of Fungal Pigments publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biosynthetic pathways of fungal pigments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polyketide synthase (PKS): multi-domain enzyme catalysing the stepwise condensation of acyl-CoA units to assemble polyketide backbones.
1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin: fungal pigment formed from pentaketide precursors via oxidative polymerisation, conferring UV and oxidative stress protection.
Anthraquinone: aromatic polyketide pigment generated by type II PKSs, notable for antioxidant and colourant properties.
Perylene quinone (PQ): polycyclic aromatic metabolites produced by fungal PKSs that function as light-activated toxins and pigments, often spatially regulated.

References

1. Polyketide Trimming Shapes Dihydroxynaphthalene‐Melanin and Anthraquinone Pigments. Advanced Science (2024).
2. New colours for old in the blue-cheese fungus Penicillium roqueforti. npj Science of Food (2024).
3. Fungal Melanin Biosynthesis Pathway as Source for Fungal Toxins. mBio (2022).