Molecular analysis of ergot alkaloid biosynthesis in Claviceps spec.
PAUL TUDZYNSKI
Institut für Botanik
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Schlossgarten 3
D-48149 Münster
tudzyns@uni-muenster.de
http://www.uni-muenster.de/Biologie.Botanik/agtudzynski/Tudzynsk.htm
Ergot alkaloids, toxic derivatives of ergoline, are synthesized by members of the ascomycetous family Clavicipitaceae; especially of the genus Claviceps. The pharmacologically important peptide alkaloids (ergopeptines) are produced e.g. by Claviceps purpurea, while other species (like C. fusiformis ) synthesize only intermediates, e.g clavine alkaloids. Comparative analysis with C. fusiformis indicate that the synthesis of simple clavines is due to a degeneration of the complex C. purpurea cluster, i.e. is a derived feature. This theory will be tested by analysis of several Claviceps species. In cooperation with S. Pažoutová (Prague) the phylogenetic tree of the Clavicipitaceae (so far based mainly on ITS data) will be improved by inclusion of additional genes, and the large strain collection available in the partner lab will be screend for the presence of genes involved in key steps of alkaloid biosynthesis. Interesting species will be studied in detail with respect to their alkaloid gene cluster. In addition the role of global regulation of cluster gene expression by modification of the chromatin structure will be studied on a molecular level.
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