Several Metarhizium Species Produce Ergot Alkaloids in a Condition-Specific Manner

Leadmon, Caroline E.; Sampson, Jessi K.; Maust, Matthew D.; Macias, Angie M.; Rehner, Stephen A.; Kasson, Matthew T.; Panaccione, Daniel G.

doi:10.1128/aem.00373-20

Cited by 27 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…diketopipearzine or resorcylic acid lactones). Based on genomic sequence data indicating that certain Metarhizium species have the capacity to produce lysergic acid-derived ergot alkaloids, it was experimentally confirmed that they do, but only during insect colonization and not in plants [ 191 ]. Ergot production by the plant-inhabiting Clavicipitaceae is well documented and famously causes serotonergic overstimulation of the central nervous system in animals [ 192 ].…”

Section: Traits For Being Multitalentedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metarhizium: jack of all trades, master of many

2020

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The genus Metarhizium and Pochonia chlamydosporia comprise a monophyletic clade of highly abundant globally distributed fungi that can transition between long-term beneficial associations with plants to transitory pathogenic associations with frequently encountered protozoans, nematodes or insects. Some very common ‘specialist generalist’ species are adapted to particular soil and plant ecologies, but can overpower a wide spectrum of insects with numerous enzymes and toxins that result from extensive gene duplications made possible by loss of meiosis and associated genome defence mechanisms. These species use parasexuality instead of sex to combine beneficial mutations from separate clonal individuals into one genome (Vicar of Bray dynamics). More weakly endophytic species which kill a narrow range of insects retain sexuality to facilitate host–pathogen coevolution (Red Queen dynamics). Metarhizium species can fit into numerous environments because they are very flexible at the genetic, physiological and ecological levels, providing tractable models to address how new mechanisms for econutritional heterogeneity, host switching and virulence are acquired and relate to diverse sexual life histories and speciation. Many new molecules and functions have been discovered that underpin Metarhizium associations, and have furthered our understanding of the crucial ecology of these fungi in multiple habitats.

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Section: Traits For Being Multitalentedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metarhizium: jack of all trades, master of many

2020

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“…Metarhizium brunneum for these ergot alkaloids (Leadmon et al, 2020). Those I. tricolor seeds that had been cured of fungus by treatment with fungicide (P-) lacked all ergot alkaloids.…”

Section: Retention Times Mass Spectra and Tandem Mass Spectra Matched What Is Found In The Relatedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fumigaclavine C, the pathway endpoint, appears to be a particularly important virulence factor, as strains of the fungus accumulating earlier pathway intermediates had lower virulence (Panaccione & Arnold, 2017). Another study involving the entomopathogen Metarhizium brunneum, showed that this fungus produces high levels of ergot alkaloids when it infects living waxworm larvae (Leadmon et al, 2020). Perhaps ergot alkaloids are used as a virulence factor by the fungus when causing infection.…”

Section: Chapter 1 Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is the first report which suggests a potential mechanism for ergot alkaloids as a virulence factor for insect infection. Some of the results presented in this chapter have been published as part of Leadmon et al (2020). In this chapter, I have excerpted and expanded upon my original contributions to that published study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As members of the family Clavicipitaceae, several species belonging to the fungal genus Metarhizium have recently been shown to have the capacity to express lysergic acid derived compounds (Leadmon et al, 2020). The ergot alkaloid gene cluster found in M. brunneum is composed of the same genes required in the pathway for the synthesis of LAH in Periglandula ipomoeae (Beaulieu et al, 2015;Hu et al, 2014;Schardl et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of Ergot Alkaloid Synthesizing Fungi and their Symbionts

Maust¹

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Genetic and biochemical characterization of ergot alkaloid synthesizing fungi and their symbionts Matthew MaustErgot alkaloids are fungal tryptophan derived toxins which affect mammalian circulation and neurotransmission. These compounds are biosynthesized by a conserved genetic pathway, known as the ergot alkaloid synthesis (EAS) pathway by fungi belonging to the ascomycete families Trichocomaceae and Clavicipitaceae. Several Ipomoea species and related plants in the morning glory family harbor vertically transmitted symbiotic fungi in the genus Periglandula, also members of Clavicipitaceae, that produce ergot alkaloids. Metabolomic analysis of seeds identified a previously uncharacterized glycoside form of the pharmaceutically important ergot alkaloid, ergonovine. Several species belonging to the fungal genus Metarhizium have recently been shown to have the capacity to express lysergic acid derived compounds. Metarhizium species are prolific entomopathogens and have the capacity to form beneficial relationships with plants by colonizing their roots. Proteomics analysis showed that wildtype and knock out strains of Metarhizium brunneum infected insects had different antimicrobial peptide and protein expression profiles based on the presence of ergot alkaloids. Metabolomics analysis found that unlike with insects, M. brunneum does not produce ergot alkaloids when grown in conjunction with plants and factors known to promote microbial symbiosis and stress-response in plants were upregulated. Fungi from Trichocomaceae (genera include Penicillium) diverge from fungi in Clavicipitaceae at a middle step of the ergot alkaloid synthetic (EAS) pathway to produce fumigaclavines and related compounds. Penicillium biforme is a known producer of rugulovasine A/B, which has never been observed in Penicillium camemberti. Data presented here suggest that the ancestor of modern P. camemberti had the capacity to synthesize rugulovasines and other ergot alkaloid precursors but lost this capability due to a V13G mutation on the protein. Analysis of the genomes from P. camemberti and P. biforme revealed that the two species contain the same cluster of EAS genes, and both organisms express mRNA from these genes in specific culture conditions. Metabolomics analysis confirmed that the regulatory elements needed for EAS gene expression are functional in P. camemberti. These results show how genetic techniques and biochemical analysis can provide new insights into these organisms.

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Alkaloids of forest fungi: diversity and therapeutic applications

Anaele,

Nwafor

2025

Forest Fungi

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Several Metarhizium Species Produce Ergot Alkaloids in a Condition-Specific Manner

Cited by 27 publications

References 53 publications

Metarhizium: jack of all trades, master of many

Metarhizium: jack of all trades, master of many

Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of Ergot Alkaloid Synthesizing Fungi and their Symbionts

Alkaloids of forest fungi: diversity and therapeutic applications

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