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Currencies of mutualisms: sources of alkaloid genes in vertically transmitted epichloae.

ABSTRACT: The epichloae (Epichloë and Neotyphodium species), a monophyletic group of fungi in the family Clavicipitaceae, are systemic symbionts of cool-season grasses (Poaceae subfamily Poöideae). Most epichloae are vertically transmitted in seeds (endophytes), and most produce alkaloids that attack nervous systems of potential herbivores. These protective metabolites include ergot alkaloids and indole-diterpenes (tremorgens), which are active in vertebrate systems, and lolines and peramine, which are more specific against invertebrates. Several Epichloë species have been described which are sexual and capable of horizontal transmission, and most are vertically transmissible also. Asexual epichloae are mainly or exclusively vertically transmitted, and many are interspecific hybrids with genomic contributions from two or three ancestral Epichloë species. Here we employ genome-scale analyses to investigate the origins of biosynthesis gene clusters for ergot alkaloids (EAS), indole-diterpenes (IDT), and lolines (LOL) in 12 hybrid species. In each hybrid, the alkaloid-gene and housekeeping-gene relationships were congruent. Interestingly, hybrids frequently had alkaloid clusters that were rare in their sexual ancestors. Also, in those hybrids that had multiple EAS, IDT or LOL clusters, one cluster lacked some genes, usually for late pathway steps. Possible implications of these findings for the alkaloid profiles and endophyte ecology are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Schardl CL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3717770 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Currencies of mutualisms: sources of alkaloid genes in vertically transmitted epichloae.

Schardl Christopher L CL Young Carolyn A CA Pan Juan J Florea Simona S Takach Johanna E JE Panaccione Daniel G DG Farman Mark L ML Webb Jennifer S JS Jaromczyk Jolanta J Charlton Nikki D ND Nagabhyru Padmaja P Chen Li L Shi Chong C Leuchtmann Adrian A

Toxins 20130606 6

The epichloae (Epichloë and Neotyphodium species), a monophyletic group of fungi in the family Clavicipitaceae, are systemic symbionts of cool-season grasses (Poaceae subfamily Poöideae). Most epichloae are vertically transmitted in seeds (endophytes), and most produce alkaloids that attack nervous systems of potential herbivores. These protective metabolites include ergot alkaloids and indole-diterpenes (tremorgens), which are active in vertebrate systems, and lolines and peramine, which are mo ...[more]

PMID: 23744053

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Project description:IntroductionThe growth hormone deficiency (GHD) diagnosis is controversial especially due to low specificity of growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests. It is therefore believed that children diagnosed with GHD form a heterogeneous group with growth disorder frequently independent on GH function. No study evaluating the complex etiology of growth failure in children with diagnosed GHD has been performed thus far.AimsTo discover genetic etiology of short stature in children with diagnosed GHD from families with short stature.MethodsFifty-two children diagnosed with primary GHD and vertically transmitted short stature (height SDS in the child and his/her shorter parent <-2 SD) were included to our study. The GHD diagnosis was based on growth data suggestive of GHD, absence of substantial disproportionality (sitting height to total height ratio <-2 SD or >+2 SD), IGF-1 levels <0 for age and sex specific SD and peak GH concentration <10 ug/L in two stimulation tests. All children were examined using next-generation sequencing methods, and the genetic variants were subsequently evaluated by American College of Medical Genetics standards and guidelines.ResultsThe age of children at enrollment into the study was 11 years (median, IQR 9-14 years), their height prior to GH treatment was -3.0 SD (-3.6 to -2.8 SD), IGF-1 concentration -1.4 SD (-2.0 to -1.1 SD), and maximal stimulated GH 6.3 ug/L (4.8-7.6 ug/L). No child had multiple pituitary hormone deficiency or a midbrain region pathology. Causative variant in a gene that affects growth was discovered in 15/52 (29%) children. Of them, only 2 (13%) had a genetic variant affecting GH secretion or function (GHSR and OTX2). Interestingly, in 10 (67%) children we discovered a primary growth plate disorder (ACAN, COL1A2, COL11A1, COL2A1, EXT2, FGFR3, NF1, NPR2, PTPN11 [2x]), in one (7%) a genetic variant impairing IGF-1 action (IGFALS) and in two (12%) a variant in miscellaneous genes (SALL4, MBTPS2).ConclusionsIn children with vertically transmitted short stature, genetic results frequently did not correspond with the clinical diagnosis of GH deficiency. These results underline the doubtful reliability of methods standardly used to diagnose GH deficiency.

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Currencies of mutualisms: sources of alkaloid genes in vertically transmitted epichloae.

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Currencies of mutualisms: sources of alkaloid genes in vertically transmitted epichloae.

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