FAMeDB: A curated Database for the analysis of Fungal Aromatic Compound Metabolism

ABSTRACT Aromatic compounds represent the second most abundant class of organic molecules after carbohydrates, and their microbial metabolism is of broad relevance across multiple research disciplines. Metabolic pathways involving aromatic compounds span from highly conserved anabolic routes to more variable catabolic processes. Numerous peripheral catabolic pathways converge on a small number of central intermediates that undergo aromatic ring-opening in the central pathways. Over the past decades, alongside numerous peripheral pathway genes, most of the catabolic genes constituting the central metabolic pathways have finally been characterized in fungi. Here we present FAMeDB, a manually curated database of proteins involved in fungal aromatic compound metabolism, together with associated bioinformatic tools. The database currently includes 349 proteins, primarily enzymes, but also includes transcription factors and transporters. Entries span 65 species and 45 genera of fungi. Most entries are from Ascomycota (81%), with a significant number from Aspergilli (46%). Application of FAMeDB and its tools enables the quick and accurate representation of aromatic metabolism across different fungal proteomes. This resource is designed to provide a useful and accessible platform for researchers worldwide, even those without specialized expertise in fungal aromatic catabolism, facilitating omics analysis and genomic comparisons. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.