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POSTERS: Mycology I

P-415 - Deciphering the role of Zeb2 in regulating zearalenone biosynthesis

Monday, August 4, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM HST
Location: Exhibit Hall 3

    Presenting Author(s)

  • NL

    Nahyun Lee

    Seoul National University
    Gwanak-gu, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

    • Author(s)

  • JK

    Jung-Eun Kim

    National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science
    Jeju-si, Cheju-do, Republic of Korea

  • HN

    Hyejin Nam

    Seoul National University
    Gwanak-gu, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

  • AP

    Ae Ran Park

    Chonnam National University
    Buk-gu, Kwangju-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

  • YL

    Yin-Won Lee

    Seoul National University
    Gwanak-gu, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

  • HS

    Hokyoung Son

    Seoul National University
    Gwanak-gu, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

Abstract Text: Zearalenone (ZEA) is a polyketide mycotoxin synthesized by various Fusarium species. Its biosynthesis involves three key enzymes: two polyketide synthases (Pks4 and Pks13) and an alcohol oxidase (Zeb1), which function sequentially. Zeb2 acts as a positive transcriptional regulator of the genes encoding these key enzymes. However, the broader genetic network and molecular mechanisms interacting with ZEB2 in ZEA biosynthesis remain largely unknown. To explore this, we performed RNA-seq analysis on wild-type, ZEB2-overexpressing, and zeb2 deletion mutant strains. We identified twenty genes that were upregulated in the ZEB2-overexpressing strain and downregulated in the zeb2 deletion strain, suggesting their regulation by Zeb2. Among these Zeb2-regulated (ZR) genes, only zr32 was found to affect ZEA production, as its disruption led to reduced ZEA synthesis. Notably, ZR32 encodes nonribosomal peptide synthetase 15 (Nrps15), whose functional characterization is currently underway to determine its precise role in ZEA biosynthesis. Further studies are being conducted to clarify whether these genes are directly regulated by Zeb2 or secondarily induced by ZEA itself. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the regulatory role of Zeb2 in secondary metabolite production, including ZEA.