Quick guide to polyketide synthase and nonribosomal synthetase genes in Fusarium

Fusarium species produce a plethora of bioactive polyketides and nonribosomal peptides that give rise to health problems in animals and may have drug development potential. Using the genome sequences for Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. verticillioides we developed a framework for future polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptides synthetases (NRPSs) nomenclature assignment and classification. Sequence similarities of the adenylation and ketosynthase domain sequences were used to group the identified NRPS and PKS genes. We present the current state of knowledge of PKS and NRPS genes in sequenced Fusarium species and their known products. With the rapid increase in the number of sequenced fungal genomes a systematic classification will greatly aid the scientific community in obtaining an overview of the number of different NRPS and PKS genes and their potential as producers of known bioactive compounds.

► We provide an overview of PKS and NRPS genes in four sequenced Fusarium.
► PKS and NRPS genes are grouped based on their ketosynthase or adenylation domains.
► The products of most PKSs and NRPSs are unknown and many of the genes are shared.