Genome mining and metabolomics reveal context-dependent biosynthetic potential in a core poplar dark septate endophyte.

Genome mining and metabolomics reveal that Hyaloscypha finlandica possesses diverse, context-dependent biosynthetic potential with 7-oxodehydroabietic acid identified among key metabolites.

• Why it matters: Understanding the metabolic capacity of dark septate endophytes (DSEs) like Hyaloscypha finlandica is crucial because they influence plant resilience in stressful environments, yet their specialized metabolites are poorly characterized.
• What they did: The study combined comparative biosynthetic gene cluster prediction across 41 ascomycete genomes with untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics of H. finlandica grown in different media, identifying medium-dependent chemical shifts and putative metabolites.
• The result: This integrated approach provides a valuable resource for future validation of biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolites, advancing understanding of DSE metabolic capabilities and their roles in plant-fungal interactions.