Epigenetic modifiers: exploring the production of new natural products from endophytic fungi

• Grant number: 14/25181-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: March 08, 2015
• End date: August 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lourdes Campaner dos Santos
• Grantee: Felipe Hilário
• Supervisor: A. A. Leslie Gunatilaka
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Arizona, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/12564-6 - Chemical study and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi associated with Paepalanthus chiquitensis (Eriocaulaceae) and effects of chemical epigenetic modulators in the cultivation of Pochonia chlamydosporia, BP.MS

Abstract

This project is associated to FAPESP master fellowship process number 2013/12564-6, entitled: "Chemical study of the extracts produced by endophytic fungi associated with aerial parts of Paepalanthus chiquitensis (Eriocaulaceae) and their antimicrobial activity". The work will be realized under supervisor of the Prof. Dr. Leslie Gunatilaka (The University of Arizona, USA). This researcher is director of the Center for Natural Products (Arizona, USA), being well recognized for his work with endophytic fungi. The time required to develop the research activities in the proposal are six months. The aim of this project is to explore the study of the epigenetic modifiers in the production of secondary metabolites produced by endophytic fungi. The endophytes can produce a wide range of novel secondary metabolites, and different methodologies can be used to explore its production. Among the approaches of discovery, the use of epigenetic modifier is an excellent method for lead the expression of silent biosynthetic pathways to produce secondary metabolites. The first step of the experimental work will be the optimization of the growth conditions with and without chemical epigenetic modifiers, including heavy metals, this step will be conducted in small scale cultures. Metabolites profiles will be monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography photo-diode array and thin layer chromatography. After optimization, large growth culture will take to provide the amount necessary to obtain the substances. Chromatography techniques will be used to fractionating and isolating of the substances. The structural elucidation of the substances will be determined by spectroscopy techniques mono- and two dimension. In conclusion, this work will lead gain of knowledge to explore novel metabolites using epigenetic approach. (AU)