Identification and characterization of the ergochrome gene cluster in the plant pathogenic fungus Claviceps purpurea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Claviceps purpurea is a phytopathogenic fungus infecting a broad range of grasses including economically important cereal crop plants. The infection cycle ends with the formation of the typical purple-black pigmented sclerotia containing the toxic ergot alkaloids. Besides these ergot alkaloids little is known about the secondary metabolism of the fungus. Red anthraquinone derivatives and yellow xanthone dimers (ergochromes) have been isolated from sclerotia and described as ergot pigments, but the corresponding gene cluster has remained unknown. Fungal pigments gain increasing interest for example as environmentally friendly alternatives to existing dyes. Furthermore, several pigments show biological activities and may have some pharmaceutical value.

Results

SUBMITTER: Neubauer L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5611617 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature