Genetic Manipulation of the Ergot Alkaloid Pathway in Epichloe festucae var. lolii and Its Effect on Black Beetle Feeding Deterrence.

ABSTRACT: Epichloë endophytes are filamentous fungi (family Clavicipitaceae) that live in symbiotic associations with grasses in the sub family Poöideae. In New Zealand, E. festucae var. lolii confers significant resistance to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) against insect and animal herbivory and is an essential component of pastoral agriculture, where ryegrass is a major forage species. The fungus produces in planta a range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including ergovaline, which has demonstrated bioactivity against the important pasture pest black beetle, but can also cause mammalian toxicosis. We genetically modified E. festucae var. lolii strain AR5 to eliminate key enzymatic steps in the ergovaline pathway to determine if intermediate ergot

SUBMITTER: Hudson D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7909537 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature