From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species

<i>Monascus</i>, a genus of fungi known for its fermentation capability and production of bioactive compounds, such as <i>Monascus</i> azaphilone pigments and Monacolin K, have received considerable attention because of their potential in biotechnological applications. Unders...

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Main Authors: Yunxia Gong, Shengfa Li, Deqing Zhao, Xi Yuan, Yin Zhou, Fusheng Chen, Yanchun Shao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/892
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author Yunxia Gong
Shengfa Li
Deqing Zhao
Xi Yuan
Yin Zhou
Fusheng Chen
Yanchun Shao
author_facet Yunxia Gong
Shengfa Li
Deqing Zhao
Xi Yuan
Yin Zhou
Fusheng Chen
Yanchun Shao
author_sort Yunxia Gong
collection DOAJ
description <i>Monascus</i>, a genus of fungi known for its fermentation capability and production of bioactive compounds, such as <i>Monascus</i> azaphilone pigments and Monacolin K, have received considerable attention because of their potential in biotechnological applications. Understanding the genetic basis of these metabolic pathways is crucial for optimizing the fermentation and enhancing the yield and quality of these products. However, <i>Monascus</i> spp. are not model fungi, and knowledge of their genetics is limited, which is a great challenge in understanding physiological and biochemical phenomena at the genetic level. Since the first application of particle bombardment to explore gene function, it has become feasible to link the phenotypic variation and genomic information on <i>Monascus</i> strains. In recent decades, accurate gene editing assisted by genomic information has provided a solution to analyze the functions of genes involved in the metabolism and development of <i>Monascus</i> spp. at the molecular level. This review summarizes most of the genetic manipulation tools used in <i>Monascus</i> spp. and emphasizes <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-mediated transformation and nuclease-guided gene editing, providing comprehensive references for scholars to select suitable genetic manipulation tools to investigate the functions of genes of interest in <i>Monascus</i> spp.
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issn 2309-608X
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-8230a1622f654c4484611fd5dfacd7fa2025-08-20T02:53:17ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2024-12-01101289210.3390/jof10120892From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> SpeciesYunxia Gong0Shengfa Li1Deqing Zhao2Xi Yuan3Yin Zhou4Fusheng Chen5Yanchun Shao6College of Food Science and Technology, Wuhan Business University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Wuhan Business University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Wuhan Business University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China<i>Monascus</i>, a genus of fungi known for its fermentation capability and production of bioactive compounds, such as <i>Monascus</i> azaphilone pigments and Monacolin K, have received considerable attention because of their potential in biotechnological applications. Understanding the genetic basis of these metabolic pathways is crucial for optimizing the fermentation and enhancing the yield and quality of these products. However, <i>Monascus</i> spp. are not model fungi, and knowledge of their genetics is limited, which is a great challenge in understanding physiological and biochemical phenomena at the genetic level. Since the first application of particle bombardment to explore gene function, it has become feasible to link the phenotypic variation and genomic information on <i>Monascus</i> strains. In recent decades, accurate gene editing assisted by genomic information has provided a solution to analyze the functions of genes involved in the metabolism and development of <i>Monascus</i> spp. at the molecular level. This review summarizes most of the genetic manipulation tools used in <i>Monascus</i> spp. and emphasizes <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-mediated transformation and nuclease-guided gene editing, providing comprehensive references for scholars to select suitable genetic manipulation tools to investigate the functions of genes of interest in <i>Monascus</i> spp.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/892<i>Monascus</i> spp.genetic transformationsite-specific gene editingmultiple-gene perturbations
spellingShingle Yunxia Gong
Shengfa Li
Deqing Zhao
Xi Yuan
Yin Zhou
Fusheng Chen
Yanchun Shao
From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
Journal of Fungi
<i>Monascus</i> spp.
genetic transformation
site-specific gene editing
multiple-gene perturbations
title From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
title_full From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
title_fullStr From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
title_full_unstemmed From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
title_short From Random Perturbation to Precise Targeting: A Comprehensive Review of Methods for Studying Gene Function in <i>Monascus</i> Species
title_sort from random perturbation to precise targeting a comprehensive review of methods for studying gene function in i monascus i species
topic <i>Monascus</i> spp.
genetic transformation
site-specific gene editing
multiple-gene perturbations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/10/12/892
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