A5018596704- Plant and fungal interactions
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Plant Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Botanical Research and Chemistry
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Early Childhood Education and Development
- Nematode management and characterization studies
Victoria University of Wellington
2022-2025
Maurice Wilkins Centre
2022-2025
Massey University
2015-2022
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2013
Structural features of genomes, including the three-dimensional arrangement DNA in nucleus, are increasingly seen as key contributors to regulation gene expression. However, studies on how genome structure and nuclear organisation influence transcription have so far been limited a handful model species. This narrow focus limits our ability draw general conclusions about ways which structures encoded, integrate information from data address broader gamut biological questions. Here, we...
Terpene cyclases (TCs) catalyze the generation of complex polycyclic terpenoids through elaborate mechanistic cascades. Very little is known about unusual type II TCs responsible for a large diverse family meroterpenoids as indole diterpenoids (IDTs). The radarins are insecticidal and cytotoxic IDTs that possess an core architecture which catalytic machinery unknown. Here, we interrogate genome Aspergillus fresenii to reveal biosynthetic delivering specific radarin scaffold. We demonstrate...
Abstract Evidence suggests that the 7-repeat variant of a 48 base pair variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in dopamine receptor D4 ( DRD4 ) gene may be associated with development attention problems. A parallel literature genes linked to dopaminergic functioning differential sensitivity context, such direction genetic effect is hypothesized vary across environmental experience. Guided by these literatures, we used data from NICHD Study Early Child Care and Youth Development consider...
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) generate the core scaffolds of many natural products. These include small cyclic dipeptides such as insect feeding deterrent peramine, which is a pyrrolopyrazine (PPZ) produced by grass-endophytic Epichloë fungi. Biosynthesis peramine catalyzed 2-module NRPS, PpzA-1, has C-terminal reductase (R) domain that required for reductive release and cyclization NRPS-tethered dipeptidyl-thioester intermediate. However, some PpzA variants lack this R due to...
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. Here we analysed how the metabolome of ryegrass apoplast changed upon infection this host sexual and asexual isolates E. festucae. A metabolite fingerprinting approach was used to analyse composition apoplastic wash fluid from uninfected infected L. Metabolites enriched or depleted in one both these treatments were identified using set interactive tools. genetic combination tandem MS identify...
The significant structural diversity and potent bioactivity of the fungal indole diterpenes (IDTs) has attracted considerable interest in their biosynthesis. Although substantial skeletal is generated by action noncanonical terpene cyclases, comparatively little known about these enzymes, particularly those involved generation subgroup containing emindole SA DA, which show alternate terpenoid skeletons. Here, we describe IDT biosynthetic machinery generating unusual architectures from...
Peramine is an insect-feeding deterrent produced by Epichloë species in symbiotic association with C3 grasses. The perA gene responsible for peramine synthesis encodes a two-module nonribosomal peptide synthetase. Alleles of are found most species; however, not many perA-containing isolates. genetic basis these peramine-negative chemotypes often unknown. Using PCR and DNA sequencing, we analyzed the genes from 72 isolates identified causative mutations null alleles. We nonfunctional perA-ΔR*...
Abstract Nodulisporic acids (NAs) are structurally complex potent antiinsectan indole diterpenes. We previously reported the biosynthetic gene cluster for these metabolites in Hypoxylon pulicicidum and functionally characterised first five steps of pathway. Here we reveal a highly array, furnishing multiple end products through expression components Penicillium paxilli . show that seven additional cluster‐encoded comprise machinery elaborate precursor NAF this branched The combined action...
Entomopathogenic fungus
Summary Peramine is a non‐ribosomal peptide‐derived pyrrolopyrazine (PPZ)‐containing molecule with anti‐insect properties. known to be produced by fungi from genus Epichloë , which form mutualistic endophytic associations cool‐season grass hosts. biosynthesis has been proposed require only the two‐module peptide synthetase (NRPS) peramine (PerA), encoded 8.3 kb gene perA though this not conclusively proven. Until recently, both and were thought exclusive of ; however, putative homologue was...
Summary Calcineurin is a conserved calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase, consisting of catalytic subunit A and regulatory B, which involved in calcium‐dependent signalling regulation various important cellular processes. In this study, we functionally characterized the (CnaA) endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae forms symbiotic association with grass host Lolium perenne . We deleted CnaA‐encoding gene cnaA E. examined its role hyphal growth, cell wall integrity symbiosis. This Δ...
Abstract Structural features of genomes, including the three-dimensional arrangement DNA in nucleus, are increasingly seen as key contributors to regulation gene expression. However, studies on how genome structure and nuclear organization influence transcription have so far been limited a handful model species. This narrow focus limits our ability draw general conclusions about ways which structures encoded, integrate information from data address broader gamut biological questions. Here,...
Fungi from the genus Epichloë form systemic endobiotic infections of cool season grasses, producing a range host-protective natural products in return for access to nutrients. These are asymptomatic during vegetative host growth, with associations between asexual spp. and their hosts considered mutualistic. However, sexual cycle involves virulent characterized by envelopment sterilization developing inflorescence dense sheath mycelia known as stroma. Microscopic analysis stromata revealed...
Penicillium paxilli ATCC 26601 is an asexual filamentous fungal species known for its production of the mycotoxin paxilline. We present here 35-Mb draft genome sequence this organism.
Summary Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a mutualistic symbiotic association with Lolium perenne . Here we analysed how the metabolome of ryegrass apoplast changed upon infection this host sexual and asexual isolates E. A metabolite fingerprinting approach was used to analyse composition apoplastic wash fluid from non-infected infected L. Metabolites enriched or depleted in one both these treatments were identified using set interactive tools. genetic combination tandem...
Abstract Nodulisporic acids (NAs) are structurally complex potent antiinsectan indole diterpenes. We previously reported the biosynthetic gene cluster for these metabolites in Hypoxylon pulicicidum and functionally characterised first five steps of pathway. Here we reveal a highly array, furnishing multiple end products through expression components Penicillium paxilli . show that seven additional cluster‐encoded comprise machinery elaborate precursor NAF this branched The combined action...