Physiological controls and regulation of ergot alkaloid formation

Abstract

Innovation and technical development of ergot alkaloids (EA) has moved closer to scientific research. Circumstantial evidence presently links the initiation of EA metabolism to changes in a range of parameters--morphology, concentrations of enzymes and their substrates, nutrients and external stress. The biosynthesis of EA begins at the level of the genetic information apparatus and continues at the level of physiological expression. EA and their formation play a role in the physiology of the production organism. Insufficient insight into Claviceps physiology hampers the deployment of computers in the control and regulation of the EA process. Knowledge of physiological controls and genetic manipulation are the principal tools of modern EA production. In principle it is now possible to improve EA yields by a concerted breeding of the ergot fungus by sexual and parasexual genetic engineering.

Endophytes: a rich source of functional metabolites (1987 to 2000)

“…45 Tryptophan and a mevalonic acid derivative dimethylallyl diphosphate were demonstrated to be precursors of these metabolites. 47 The novel amide 19 was characterized as a ras-farnesyltransferase inhibitor from the culture broth of an endophytic Phoma sp. 48 Furthermore, three new cytotoxic cytochalasans 20-22, together with the known metabolite cytochalasin E 23, were purified from the culture broth of Rhinocladiella sp., an endophyte present in the perennial twining vine of Tripterygium wilfordii.…”

Bioprotective Alkaloids of Grass-Fungal Endophyte Symbioses

“…Tul. (Rehácek, 1991). The mevalonic acid derivative dimethylallyl diphosphate and Trp are the precursors for DMAT synthesis (Fig.…”