Novel Scheme for Biosynthesis of Aryl Metabolites from l -Phenylalanine in the Fungus Bjerkandera adusta

ABSTRACT Aryl metabolite biosynthesis was studied in the white rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta cultivated in a liquid medium supplemented with l -phenylalanine. Aromatic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following addition of labelled precursors ( 14 C- and 13 C-labelled l -phenylalanine), which did not interfere with fungal metabolism. The major aromatic compounds identified were benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde (bitter almond aroma), and benzoic acid. Hydroxy- and methoxybenzylic compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, and acids) were also found in fungal cultures. Intracellular enzymatic activities (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, aryl-alcohol oxidase, aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase, lignin peroxidase) and extracellular enzymatic activities (aryl-alcohol oxidase, lignin peroxidase), as well as aromatic compounds, were detected in B. adusta cultures. Metabolite formation required de novo protein biosynthesis. Our results show that l -phenylalanine was deaminated to trans -cinnamic acid by a phenylalanine ammonia lyase and trans -cinnamic acid was in turn converted to aromatic acids (phenylpyruvic, phenylacetic, mandelic, and benzoylformic acids); benzaldehyde was a metabolic intermediate. These acids were transformed into benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. Our findings support the hypothesis that all of these compounds are intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway from l -phenylalanine to aryl metabolites. Additionally, trans -cinnamic acid can also be transformed via β-oxidation to benzoic acid. This was confirmed by the presence of acetophenone as a β-oxidation degradation intermediate. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a β-oxidation sequence leading to benzoic acid synthesis has been found in a white rot fungus. A novel metabolic scheme for biosynthesis of aryl metabolites from l -phenylalanine is proposed.