Metabolism of the Germinating Sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea

Heterokaryosis and alkaloid production in Claviceps purpurea.

Strain 275 FI of Claviceps purpurea, which produces large amounts of peptide alkaloids in submerged culture, is a heterokaryon; after several generations on agar media, it segregates the single components. These components (by us labeled V, C, and W) are stable and produce almost no alkaloids under described conditions of submerged culture. The mycelium of strain 275 FI consists of hyphae with ...

Effect of Chlorsulfuron, a Potent Inhibitor of Acetohydroxyacid Synthase, on Metabolism of Claviceps purpurea

Chlorsulfuron (CS) is a potent sulfonylurea herbicide inhibiting specifically acetohydroxyacid synthase which catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids in plant cells, bacteria and yeast. The peptide portion of some ergot alkaloids contain inter alia branchedchain amino acids. The influence of CS on growth and alkaloid formation in Claviceps was studied. In an e...

A -D-fructofuranosidase from Claviceps purpurea.

Evidence suggests that sucrose is the main carbon source for growth of Claviceps spp. in the parasitic condition. The sucrose acts as substrate for an active beta-fructofuranosidase, produced by the fungus, which in the first instance converts the disaccharide into glucose and an oligofructoside. In this way, 50% of the glucose, supplied as sucrose, is made available to the parasite for assimil...

Biosynthesis of ergotamine by Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.

High-yielding strains of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul, grown on a defined medium, have been used for a study of the biosynthesis of the peptide ergot alkaloid, ergotamine. l-[U-(14)C]tryptophan, dl-[2-(14)C]mevalonic acid lactone, sodium [2-(14)C]acetate, sodium [(14)C]formate and the methyl group of l-[methyl-(14)C]methionine were efficiently incorporated into the peptide alkaloids and specifi...

A Laboratory Guide to the Identification of Claviceps purpurea and Claviceps africana in Grass and Sorghum Seed Samples