title: A reductase gene mppE controls yellow component production in azaphilone polyketide pathway of Monascus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize a biosynthetic gene that is selectively involved in the biosynthesis of yellow or orange components in the azaphilone polyketide pathway of Monascus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reductive modification is predicted to control the relative levels of reduced (yellow) and oxidized (orange and red) components in the pathway of azaphilone pigment biosynthesis in Monascus. Targeted inactivation of a reductase gene mppE enhanced orange and red pigment production whereas overexpression of the gene promoted yellow pigment production. The effect of mppE overexpression was dependent on culture methods, and augmented yellow pigmentation was evident in a submerged culture employing a chemically defined medium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MppE controls the biosynthesis of the yellow pigments, ankaflavin and monascin, as a reductive enzyme in the azaphilone polyketide pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin-si, Gyunggi-do, 449-728, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bijinu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Institute for Traditional Korean Medicine Industry, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, 534-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Si-Hyung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin-si, Gyunggi-do, 449-728, Republic of Korea. hjink@mju.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyung-Jin
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1039-3429
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000378:metabolism*; D032741:Monascus / Q000378:metabolism*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*; D061065:Polyketides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D061065:Polyketides; C494154:azaphilone; D010088:Oxidoreductases
keywords: Azaphilone pigment; Gene inactivation; Monascus purpureus; Reductase; mppE