Evolution of the Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Results in Divergent Mycotoxin Profiles in Claviceps purpurea Sclerotia

Research into ergot alkaloid production in major cereal cash crops is crucial for furthering our understanding of the potential toxicological impacts of Claviceps purpurea upon Canadian agriculture and to ensure consumer safety. An untargeted metabolomics approach profiling extracts of C. purpurea sclerotia from four different grain crops separated the C. purpurea strains into two distinct metabolomic classes based on ergot alkaloid content. Variances in C. purpurea alkaloid profiles were correlated to genetic differences within the lpsA gene of the ergot alkaloid biosynthetic gene cluster from previously published genomes and from newly sequenced, long-read genome assemblies of Canadian strains. Based on gene cluster composition and unique polymorphisms, we hypothesize that the alkaloid content of C. purpurea sclerotia is currently undergoing adaptation. The patterns of lpsA gene diversity described in this small subset of Canadian strains provides a remarkable framework for understanding accelerated evolution of ergot alkaloid production in Claviceps purpurea.

Effects of ergotamine on the central nervous system using untargeted metabolomics analysis in a mouse model

The ergot alkaloid ergotamine is produced by Claviceps purpurea, a parasitic fungus that commonly infects crops and pastures of high agricultural and economic importance. In humans and livestock, symptoms of ergotism include necrosis and gangrene, high blood pressure, heart rate, thermoregulatory dysfunction and hallucinations. However, ergotamine is also used in pharmaceutical applications to treat migraines and stop post-partum hemorrhage. To define its effects, metabolomic profiling of the brain was undertaken to determine pathways perturbed by ergotamine treatment. Metabolomic profiling identified the brainstem and cerebral cortex as regions with greatest variation. In the brainstem, dysregulation of the neurotransmitter epinephrine, and the psychoactive compound 2-arachidonylglycerol was identified. In the cerebral cortex, energy related metabolites isobutyryl-L-carnitine and S-3-oxodecanoyl cysteamine were affected and concentrations of adenylosuccinate, a metabolite associated with mental retardation, were higher. This study demonstrates, for the first time, key metabolomic pathways involved in the behavioural and physiological dysfunction of ergot alkaloid intoxicated animals.

Ergot development on low-pentosan diploid winter rye

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea (Fr) Tul.) is a widespread rye disease. A strong development of the disease can reduce up to 60% of grain productivity and its quality. In the rye gene pool, there was found no samples with complete resis[1]tance to Cl. purpurea. Since 2016, six new winter rye varieties with a low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain have been approved for cultivation in Russia. It has been noticed that low-pentosan varieties are less affected by ergot. The harmful effect of the disease largely depends on the sclerotia parameters. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the development of ergot on the high-pentosan winter rye variety ‘Era’ and its low-pentosan analogue ‘Novaya Era’. There was estimated the infestation of the varieties, the size and weight of the formed sclerotia. It was found that with the same infection level, the infestation of the variety ‘Era’ was 48.5%, and that of the variety ‘Novaya Era’ was 18.1%. On the heads of high-pentosan rye there were formed full-fledged sclerotia with 15.97–23.55 mm in length and 2.68–3.83 mm in width. On the heads of low-pentosan rye ‘Novaya Era’ the fungus formed underdeveloped sclerotia, the mass of which was 4-8 times less than on the variety ‘Era’. The small size and weight of the horns facilitated their removal from the crop during threshing, and reduced rye grain infection with ergot. The frequency of low-pentosan plants occurring in the varietal population affects the infection rate of rye. The frequency of low-pentosan plants in the variety ‘Era’ is 43%, and in the variety ‘Novaya Era’ is 95%. The development of rye varieties characterized by a low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain is connected with breeding for resistance to Cl. purpurea.

The Usage of Ergot (Claviceps purpurea (fr.) Tul.) in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Historical Perspective

In the past centuries consumption of bread made of ergot-infected flour resulted in mass poisonings and miscarriages. The reason was the sclerotia of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.—a source of noxious ergot alkaloids (ergotamine and ergovaline). The authors have searched the 19th century medical literature in order to find information on the following topics: dosage forms of drugs based on ergot and their application in official gynecology and obstetrics. The authors also briefly address the relevant data from the previous periods as well as the 20th century research on ergot. The research resulted in a conclusion that applications of ergot in gynecology and obstetrics in the 19th century were limited to controlling excessive uterine bleeding and irregular spasms, treatment of fibrous tumors of the uterus, and prevention of miscarriage, abortion, and amenorrhoea. The most common dosage forms mentioned in the works included in our review were the following: tinctures, water extracts (Wernich’s and Squibb’s watery extract of ergot), pills, and powders. The information documented in this paper will be helpful for further research and helpful in broadening the understanding of the historical application of the described controversial crude drugs. Ergot alkaloids were widely used in obstetrics, but in modern times they are not used in developed countries anymore. They may, however, play a significant role in developing countries where, in some cases, they can be used as an anti-hemorrhage agent during labor.

Ergot Alkaloid Contents in Hybrid Rye are Reduced by Breeding

Contamination by ergot caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Claviceps purpurea is a constant threat to the whole rye value chain. Ergot alkaloids (EA) produced within the fungal sclerotia are toxic for humans and animals and are subjected to strict regulations in human food. Our main objective was to analyze whether less susceptible rye cultivars with a lower content of sclerotia also contain fewer ergot alkaloids (EA). We analyzed 15 factorial single crosses in multi-environmental trials with artificial inoculation for their ergot severity, the content of twelve EAs by HPLC, and the total ergot content by ELISA. The genotypes displayed a wide range of pollen shedding from fully sterile to fully fertile, of ergot severity expressed as percentage of sclerotia relative to the harvest (0.22–11.47%), and of EA contents when analyzed by HPLC (0.57–45.27 mg/kg. Entry-mean heritabilities were high throughout (0.87–0.98). The factorial analysis yielded a preponderance of male general combining ability (GCA) variances, the estimates for the females were smaller, although significant. EA contents measured by ELISA were, on average, seven times larger. The correlation between ergot severity and EA contents determined by HPLC was r = 0.98 (p ≤ 0.01) and only somewhat lower when analyzed by ELISA. In conclusion, less ergot prone rye genotypes also support lower EA contents.

UTILIZAÇÃO DO LSD PARA TRATAMENTO EM PESSOAS COM DEPRESSÃO E TRANSTORNO DE ANSIEDADE GENERALIZADA, UMA REVISÃO LITERÁRIA

A substância LSD, também conhecida como dietilamida do ácido lisérgico, é um alcaloide que ocorre a partir das reações metabólicas do fungo Claviceps purpurea. É uma substância psicodélica com propriedades sedativas. O objetivo desse trabalho é fazer uma revisão de artigos que investiguem a possibilidade de utilizar o efeito sedativo da substância, principalmente em pequenas doses, no tratamento da depressão e do transtorno de ansiedade generalizada. Trata-se de uma substância de baixa toxidade e fácil obtenção. Estudos in vitro e in vivo demonstram boa resposta a substâncias psicodélicas a respeito da diminuição dos sintomas depressivos e ansiosos. Todavia, deve-se levar em conta que não há uma conclusão definitiva sobre o tema, pois as pesquisas ainda estão em andamento.