We present draft genome sequences of the four fungal species Rhizopogon roseolus, Mariannaea elegans, Myrothecium verrucaria and Sphaerostilbella broomeana

A variety of fungal cyclic peptides with interesting bioactivities have been discovered in recent years. For many of these peptides, the biosynthetic pathways are unknown and the elucidation thereof often holds surprises. The cyclic and backbone N-methylated omphalotins from Omphalotus olearius were recently shown to constitute a novel class (borosins) of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPP), members of which are produced by many fungi, including species of the genus Rhizopogon. Other recently discovered fungal peptide macrocycles include the cyclic mariannamides from Mariannaea elegans and the cyclic and backbone N-methylated verrucamides from Myrothecium verrucaria and broomeanamides from Sphaerostilbella broomeana. Here, we present draft genome sequences of the four fungal species Rhizopogon roseolus, Mariannaea elegans, Myrothecium verrucaria and Sphaerostilbella broomeana. We screened these genomes for precursor proteins or gene clusters involved in the mariannamide, verrucamide and broomeanamide biosynthesis including a general screen for borosin-producing precursor proteins. While our genomic screen for potential RiPP precursor proteins of mariannamides, verrucamides, broomeanamides and borosins remained unsuccessful, antiSMASH predicted non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS)-encoding gene clusters that might be responsible for the biosynthesis of mariannamides, verrucamides and broomeanamides. In M. verrucaria, our antiSMASH search led to a putative NRPS-encoding gene cluster with a predicted peptide product of 20 amino acids, including multiple non-proteinogenic isovalines. This cluster likely encodes a member of the peptaibols, an antimicrobial class of peptides that have so far mostly been isolated from the Genus Trichoderma. The NRPS-encoding gene clusters detected in our screenings are promising candidates for future research.