Ergot Alkaloids Contribute to the Pathogenic Potential of the Fungus Aspergillus leporis.

ABSTRACT: Opportunistically pathogenic fungi have varying potential to cause disease in animals. Factors contributing to their virulence include specialized metabolites, which in some cases evolved in contexts unrelated to pathogenesis. Specialized metabolites that increase fungal virulence in the model insect Galleria mellonella include the ergot alkaloids fumigaclavine C in Aspergillus fumigatus (syn. Neosartorya fumigata) and lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide (LAH) in the entomopathogen Metarhizium brunneum. Three species of Aspergillus recently found to accumulate high concentrations of LAH were investigated for their pathogenic potential in G. mellonella. Aspergillus leporis was most virulent, A. hancockii was intermediate, and A. homomorphus had very little pathogenic potential. Aspergi

SUBMITTER: Jones AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10304750 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature