Molecular Interactions Between Lolium Grasses and Their Fungal Symbionts

摘要: The protection of Lolium meristems from excess herbivory is vital to the reproductive success and distribution this other grass species. development symbiotic associations between grasses endophytes Epichloettieotyphodium group represents a unique form biological where host symbiont genomes have coevolved for mutual benefit. fungus provides through synthesis range bioprotective metabolites in return nutrients growth seed dissemination . Key fungal produced by Neotyphodium association with perennial ryegrass (L perenne) include lolitrems ergopeptines; two c1assesof compounds that are toxic mammalian livestock. Cloning genes these pathways major challenge as very little known about enzymology toxin biosynthesis conditions endophyte ex planta not been established However, advance has cloning gene clusters ergopeptine , ergotamine, Claviceps purpurea paxilline, an indole-diterpene closely related chemistry lolitrem B. Penicillium paxilli. More recently, cloned PCR lolii. An overview advances opportunities now available explore molecular interactions presented.