Proteomics Shows New Faces for the Old Penicillin ProducerPenicillium chrysogenum

Abstract

Fungi comprise a vast group of microorganisms including the Ascomycota (majority of all described fungi), the Basidiomycota (mushrooms or higher fungi), and the Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota (basal or lower fungi) that produce industrially interesting secondary metabolites, such as β-lactam antibiotics. These compounds are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs world-wide. Since Fleming's initial discovery ofPenicillium notatum80 years ago, the role ofPenicilliumas an antimicrobial source became patent. After the isolation ofPenicillium chrysogenumNRRL 1951 six decades ago, classical mutagenesis and screening programs led to the development of industrial strains with increased productivity (at least three orders of magnitude). The new “omics” era has provided the key to understand the underlying mechanisms of the industrial strain improvement process. The review of different proteomics methods applied toP. chrysogenumhas revealed that industrial modification of this microorganism was a consequence of a careful rebalancing of several metabolic pathways. In addition, the secretome analysis ofP. chrysogenumhas opened the door to new industrial applications for this versatile filamentous fungus.