Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is often infected by the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) The fungus produces ergo peptide alkaloids, especially ergovaline. Consumption of endophyte-infected (ED fescue forage by cattle decreases serum prolactin and average daily weight gains, which results in economic losses for producers. Anecdotal reports suggest cattle with fescue toxicosis may not respond to vaccination. Hyperprolactinemia decreases cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in mice. Therefore, steers grazing EI or endophyte-free (EF) fescue forages were vaccinated to assess humoral immune responses. Steers grazing EI fescue exhibited classical clinical signs of fescue toxicosis, and mounted humoral immune responses to vaccination, despite hyperprolactinemia. Lymphocyte proliferation responses to mitogens in mice fed EI diets were similar to mice fed EF diets. Production of interferon gamma and interleukin-4 was higher by splenocytes from mice fed EI diets, whereas interleukin-2 tended to be lower. Fescue toxicosis may stimulate T helper cell 2 subset of CD4⁺ T cells. The T_H2 subset may augment humoral immune responses to vaccination. / Ph. D.

Clavicipitaceous fungal endophytes of the genera Epichloë and Neotyphodium form symbioses with grasses of the family Pooideae in which they can synthesise an array of bioprotective alkaloids. Some strains produce the ergot alkaloid ergovaline, which is implicated in livestock toxicoses caused by ingestion of endophyteinfected grasses. Cloning and analysis of a plant-induced non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene from Neotyphodium lolii and analysis of the E. festucae E2368 genome sequence revealed a complex gene cluster for ergot alkaloid biosynthesis. The EAS cluster contained a single-module NRPS gene, lpsB, and other genes orthologous to genes in the ergopeptine gene cluster of Claviceps purpurea and the clavine cluster of Aspergillus fumigatus. Functional analysis of lpsB confirmed its role in ergovaline synthesis and bioassays with the lpsB mutant unexpectedly suggested that ergovaline was not required for black beetle (Heteronychus arator) feeding deterrence from epichloë-infected grasses. Southern analysis showed the cluster was linked with previously identified ergot alkaloid biosynthetic genes, dmaW and lpsA, at a subtelomeric location. The ergovaline genes are closely associated with transposon relics, including retrotransposons, autonomous DNA transposons and miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), which are very rare in other fungi. All genes in the cluster were highly expressed in planta but expression was very low or undetectable in mycelia from axenic culture, including under nitrogen-, carbonor phosphate-limited conditions. Comparative analysis of the EAS gene cluster in four different epichloë strains showed marked differences in gene expression and ergot alkaloid synthesis. Gene order is conserved in each strain although evidence for recombination between two MITEs and expansion or reduction of a simple sequence repeat (SSR) at a single intergenic region was observed. Heterologous expression of a candidate regulatory gene, laeA, from Aspergillus nidulans, which is a global regulator of secondary metabolism in aspergilli, did not affect eas gene expression. This, along with phylogeny and microsynteny analysis, suggests there is not an orthologue of this gene in epichloë. This work provides a genetic foundation for elucidating biochemical steps in the ergovaline pathway, the ecological role of individual ergot alkaloid compounds, and the regulation of their synthesis in planta.

We conducted two experiments evaluating perennial ryegrass straw as a forage source for ruminants. Experiment 1 evaluated digestion and physiological variables in steers offered perennial ryegrass straw containing increasing levels of lolitrem B. Sixteen ruminally cannulated Angus X Hereford steers (231 ± 2 kg BW) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of four treatments (TRT). Steers were provided perennial ryegrass straw at 120% of the previous 5-d average intake. Prior to straw feeding, soybean meal (SBM) was provided (0.1% BW; CP basis) to meet the estimated requirement for degradable intake protein. Low (L) and high (H) lolitrem B straws (<100 and 1550 ppb, respectively) were used to formulate TRT diets: LOW (100% L); LOW MIX (67% L:33% H); HIGH MIX (33% L:67% H); HIGH (100% H). Intake and digestibility of DM and OM, and ruminal pH, total VFA, and NH₃-N were not affected by increasing lolitrem B concentration (P>0.13). Ruminal indigestible ADF (IADF) fill increased linearly (P=0.01) and IADF passage rate (%/h) decreased linearly (P=0.04) as lolitrem B level increased. Experiment 2 evaluated performance and production of 72 Angus X Hereford cows (539 ± 5 kg BW) consuming perennial ryegrass straw containing increasing levels of lolitrem B during the last third of gestation. Cows were blocked by body condition score (BCS) and randomly assigned to one of three TRT. Cows were provided perennial ryegrass straw ad libitum and supplemented with SBM (0.1% BW; CP basis) to meet the estimated requirement for degradable intake protein. Mixtures of a L and H lolitrem B straw (467 and 2017 ppb, respectively) were used to formulate TRT diets: LOW (100% L); MIX (50% L:50% H); HIGH (100% H). Thirteen of 24 cows on the HIGH TRT exhibited signs of ryegrass staggers and were removed from the study. Dry matter intake was not affected (P>0.12) by increasing lolitrem B concentration; however, estimated DM digestibility decreased linearly (P<0.01) as lolitrem B concentration increased. Lolitrem B concentration did not influence pre- or post calving weight or BCS change (P>0.10). These data suggest that feeding perennial ryegrass straw containing up to 1550 ppb lolitrem B does not adversely affect nutrient digestion or physiological response variables in steers. However, providing straw with a lolitrem B concentration of approximately 2000 ppb resulted in 54% of cows exhibiting signs of ryegrass staggers. Blending of H and L straws appears to be a successful management practice. Keywords: Alkaloid, Beef Cattle, Endophyte, Lolitrem B, Perennial Ryegrass, Straw / Graduation date: 2004

Ergotalkaloide sind sekundäre Stoffwechselprodukte des parasitären Schlauchpilzes Claviceps purpurea der auf Getreide Mutterkörner (Sklerotien) bildet. In Sklerotien sind toxische Ergotalkaloide enthalten. Durch C. purpurea werden vorrangig sechs verschiedene Ergotalkaloid-Epimerenpaare gebildet, die toxischen C8-(R)-Epimere und die biologisch nicht relevanten C8-(S)-Epimere, die ineinander umgewandelt werden können. Das Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Epimerisierung der Ergotalkaloide während der Probenvorbereitung im Vergleich zu bisher bekannten Probenaufarbeitungsverfahren zu minimieren. Dieses gelang durch den Verzicht des Zusatzes starker Säuren oder Basen. Die aufgereinigten Extrakte können bei Raumtemperatur über 96 Stunden epimerisierungsfrei in einer tensidischen Acetonitril-Wasser-Lösung gelagert werden. Die Probenaufarbeitung mit anschließender Auftrennung über die Hochleistungsflüssigchromatographie und fluorimetrischer Detektion (HPLC-FLD) wurde für Roggenmehl und Speiseöl validiert und auf diese Martices angewendet. So konnten erstmals die Ergotalkaloidgehalte auch in Weizenkeimöl quantifiziert werden. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurde das Epimerisierungsverhalten von Ergotalkaloiden bei Backversuchen und in vitro Verdauexperimenten untersucht. Das Backen resultierte in eine Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der (S)-Epimere. Das angewendete in vitro Verdaumodell führte für die Ergotalkaloidepimerenpaare Ergotamin und Ergosin zu einer Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der toxischen (R)-Epimere. Dagegen zeigten die Ergotalkaloide der Ergotoxingruppe eine Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der (S)-Epimere. Der dritte Teil der Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Ergotalkaloid-Konjugaten, die unter dem Einfluss von UV-Licht entstehen. Es wurden sechs Ergotalkaloid-Fettsäure-Konjugate synthetisiert und in Sklerotien über die HPLC in Verbindung mit massenspektrometrischer Detektion nachgewiesen. / Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites of the parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea that forms sclerotia on cereals. These sclerotia contain toxic ergot alkaloids. C. purpurea forms six epimeric pairs of ergot alkaloids predominantly the toxic C8-(R)-epimers and the biologically inactive C8-(S)-epimers. In view of the fact that both epimeric forms can be transformed into one another, the objective of this work was to develop a novel sample preparation method that minimizes the epimerization rate compared to previously published methods. The presented sample preparation procedure minimizes epimerization of ergot alkaloids, as it operates without the addition of strong acidic or alkaline modifiers for matrix removal. After sample preparation, an ergot alkaloid containing extract in a sodium hexanesulfonate solution is obtained in which no epimerization after 96 hours was observed. Thus, the sample preparation allows extract storage at ambient temperature for prolonged HPLC analysis. This novel sample preparation followed by HPLC-flourescence analysis was validated for the matrices rye flour and wheat germ oil and was applied for food samples. This is the first time that the ergot alkaloid content in wheat germ oil was quantified. The second part of this work was the study of the epimerization behaviour of ergot alkaloids during baking and in vitro digestion. Baking of cookies resulted in a shift of the epimeric ratio towards the (S)-epimers. The in vitro digestion showed an ergot alkaloid specific shift of the epimeric ratio. The initial percentage of the (R)-epimer increased for ergotamine und ergosine. In contrast, ergot alkaloids of the ergotoxine type showed an epimeric shift towards their (S)-epimers. The third part of this work was the study of ergot alkaloid derivatives that are formed in combination with UV-light. Six different ergot alkaloid fatty acid derivates were synthesized and detected in sclerotia using a HPLC-MS/MS method.

Os alcalóides ergolínicos são uma categoria de compostos que possuem um esqueleto tetracíclico [6,5,6,6] derivados da ergolina. Do ponto de vista farmacológico, estes compostos são uma classe de produtos naturais importantes, já que exibem uma grande variedade de atividade biológica. Estas moléculas têm sido alvos sintéticos devido ao seu complexo esqueleto tetracíclico e as propriedades supracitadas, o que resultou no desenvolvimento de sínteses totais ao longo do tempo. O ácido lisérgico é o representante notável da família dos alcaloides ergolínicos, uma vez que desde o ano de 1956 até 2013 foram desenvolvidas treze sínteses totais do mesmo. Por isso, o nosso grupo de pesquisa propõe uma rota sintética para a construção de um intermediário indólico-piperidinico, que será usado para realizar a síntese total estereosseletiva do ácido lisérgico em um trabalho de pesquisa futuro. A estratégia para a síntese do intermediário baseia-se na reação de Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) e na reação de inserção N-H intramolecular a partir de um aminoaldeído derivado do L-triptofano. A rota sintética inicia-se a partir da elaboração do reagente de olefinação de HWE em três etapas: reação de Michaelis Becker, hidrogenólise catalítica e formação do diazofosfonato. A construção do aminoaldeído requer cinco etapas: esterificação, proteção com Boc, desproteção seletiva, redução do éster e oxidação de Swern. O reagente de olefinação e o aminoaldeído reagem através da reação HWE, fornecendo a diazocetona &alpha;, &beta; -insaturada com configuração preferencial Z (Z:E=10:1). Finalmente a olefina Z reage mediante a reação de inserção N-H intramolecular, para fornecer o intermediário indólico-piperidínico. Adicionalmente, desenvolveu-se outra rota para construir o intermediário mencionado através da construção de um derivado de 4-nitroindol, porém esta não foi reprodutível. A síntese do intermediário indólico-piperidínico foi feita em sete etapas, partindo do L-triptofano com rendimento global de 14.9 %. / The ergot alkaloids are a class of compounds which have the tetracyclic skeleton [6,5,6,6] found in the ergoline molecule. These compounds are an important class of natural products that have wide biological activities. They have also been important synthetic targets due to their challenging tetracyclic skeleton as well as due to the previously mentioned biological properties. Lysergic acid is the main representative of the family of ergot alkaloids. Since 1956, thirteen total syntheses have been developed for this alkaloid. Considering the importance of lysergic acid and of the ergot alkaloids, our research group decided to propose a synthetic route to construct an advanced indole-piperidinic intermediate, which may be used to perform the total synthesis of lysergic acid and derivatives in a future work. The strategy to the synthesis of this advanced intermediate is based on the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction (HWE) and the intramolecular N-H insertion reaction, starting from a L-tryptophan aminoaldehyde derivative. The synthetic route started with the elaboration of the HWE olefination reagent in three steps: Michaelis Becker reaction, hydrogenolysis and diazophosphonate formation. In continuation, the construction of the aminoaldehyde required five steps: esterification, Boc protection, selective deprotection, ester reduction and Swern oxidation. The olefination reagent and the aminoaldehyde reacted by the HWE reaction furnishing an &alpha;, &beta; -unsaturated diazoketone with Z configuration (Z:E = 10:1). Finally the Z isomer reacted by means of an intramolecular N-H insertion reaction to provide the indole-piperidine intermediate. Additionally, we developed another route to construct a 4-nitro-indole intermediate, but this was not reproducible. The synthesis of the indole-piperidine intermediate was carried out in seven steps starting from L-tryptophan, with an overall yield of 14.9%.

Prior work using a contractility bioassay determined that the serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype 5-HT2A is present in bovine lateral saphenous veins and plays a role in ergot alkaloid-induced vascular contraction in steers grazing endophyte-infected (Epichloë coenophiala) tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). A study was conducted to determine what 5-HT receptors are involved in vasoconstriction of bovine gut vasculature. The findings of this study indicate that 5-HT2A is present and may play a role in ergot alkaloid induced vasoconstriction. A second study was conducted to determine if ergot alkaloids were transported in the small intestine. The active transporter, peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), was evaluated for its role in the transport of various concentrations of ergot alkaloids across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Results indicate that CEPH, ERT, EXT, and LSA do move across Caco-2 cell monolayers, but appear to utilize PepT1 at larger concentrations. Overall, the demonstrated presence of 5-HT2A receptors in the bovine gut vasculature established a potential for vascular interference by ergot alkaloids entering the bloodstream through transepithelial absorption.

Ergovaline is produced by the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort. = Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and is blamed for a multitude of costly livestock disorders. Testing of pastures is common in both research and on farm situations. Since ergovaline is known to be unstable and affected by many variables, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of sample handling and storage on the stability of this compound. Homogeneous milled tall fescue sub-samples were analyzed for ergovaline concentration using HPLC after a range of sample handling procedures or storage. Ergovaline was unstable in milled material after 24 hours in storage, regardless of temperature. The decrease in ergovaline after 24 hours ranged from 17 to 60%. These results show that tall fescue sample handling and storage have a significant effect on ergovaline concentrations. In conclusion, accurate laboratory analysis of ergovaline content may require that samples be transported immediately to the laboratory on ice for immediate analysis. Most laboratories are not equipped for same day analysis, therefore researchers and producers should acknowledge that laboratory ergovaline results may be lower than the actual content in the field.

Os alcalóides ergolínicos são uma categoria de compostos que possuem um esqueleto tetracíclico [6,5,6,6] derivados da ergolina. Do ponto de vista farmacológico, estes compostos são uma classe de produtos naturais importantes, já que exibem uma grande variedade de atividade biológica. Estas moléculas têm sido alvos sintéticos devido ao seu complexo esqueleto tetracíclico e as propriedades supracitadas, o que resultou no desenvolvimento de sínteses totais ao longo do tempo. O ácido lisérgico é o representante notável da família dos alcaloides ergolínicos, uma vez que desde o ano de 1956 até 2013 foram desenvolvidas treze sínteses totais do mesmo. Por isso, o nosso grupo de pesquisa propõe uma rota sintética para a construção de um intermediário indólico-piperidinico, que será usado para realizar a síntese total estereosseletiva do ácido lisérgico em um trabalho de pesquisa futuro. A estratégia para a síntese do intermediário baseia-se na reação de Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) e na reação de inserção N-H intramolecular a partir de um aminoaldeído derivado do L-triptofano. A rota sintética inicia-se a partir da elaboração do reagente de olefinação de HWE em três etapas: reação de Michaelis Becker, hidrogenólise catalítica e formação do diazofosfonato. A construção do aminoaldeído requer cinco etapas: esterificação, proteção com Boc, desproteção seletiva, redução do éster e oxidação de Swern. O reagente de olefinação e o aminoaldeído reagem através da reação HWE, fornecendo a diazocetona &alpha;, &beta; -insaturada com configuração preferencial Z (Z:E=10:1). Finalmente a olefina Z reage mediante a reação de inserção N-H intramolecular, para fornecer o intermediário indólico-piperidínico. Adicionalmente, desenvolveu-se outra rota para construir o intermediário mencionado através da construção de um derivado de 4-nitroindol, porém esta não foi reprodutível. A síntese do intermediário indólico-piperidínico foi feita em sete etapas, partindo do L-triptofano com rendimento global de 14.9 %. / The ergot alkaloids are a class of compounds which have the tetracyclic skeleton [6,5,6,6] found in the ergoline molecule. These compounds are an important class of natural products that have wide biological activities. They have also been important synthetic targets due to their challenging tetracyclic skeleton as well as due to the previously mentioned biological properties. Lysergic acid is the main representative of the family of ergot alkaloids. Since 1956, thirteen total syntheses have been developed for this alkaloid. Considering the importance of lysergic acid and of the ergot alkaloids, our research group decided to propose a synthetic route to construct an advanced indole-piperidinic intermediate, which may be used to perform the total synthesis of lysergic acid and derivatives in a future work. The strategy to the synthesis of this advanced intermediate is based on the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction (HWE) and the intramolecular N-H insertion reaction, starting from a L-tryptophan aminoaldehyde derivative. The synthetic route started with the elaboration of the HWE olefination reagent in three steps: Michaelis Becker reaction, hydrogenolysis and diazophosphonate formation. In continuation, the construction of the aminoaldehyde required five steps: esterification, Boc protection, selective deprotection, ester reduction and Swern oxidation. The olefination reagent and the aminoaldehyde reacted by the HWE reaction furnishing an &alpha;, &beta; -unsaturated diazoketone with Z configuration (Z:E = 10:1). Finally the Z isomer reacted by means of an intramolecular N-H insertion reaction to provide the indole-piperidine intermediate. Additionally, we developed another route to construct a 4-nitro-indole intermediate, but this was not reproducible. The synthesis of the indole-piperidine intermediate was carried out in seven steps starting from L-tryptophan, with an overall yield of 14.9%.

Baicalein is known to be a potent antifungal agent and induces programmed cell death in Candida albicans. In the present study, we found that baicalein also inhibited the growth of C. krusei isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of baicalein against eight C. krusei isolates were 1.35--2.70 microg/ml. One-hour exposure to baicalein elicited a consistent and moderate post-antifungal effect on the C. krusei isolates. Further flow cytometric study demonstrated a depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. However, both the levels of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation were not significantly changed after baicalein treatment in C. krusei. It can be concluded that the antifungal activity of baicalein was mitochondria-dependent in both C. krusei and C. albicans, but the antifungal mechanism was different. Reactive oxygen species may not play a direct role and baicalein does not initiate programmed cell death or apoptosis in C. krusei. The structure-activity relationship study showed that the three hydroxyl groups in baicalein were essential for its antifungal potency. / Candidiasis has become a serious infection with very high mortality and morbidity in the world if not providing effective treatments. However, due to clinical limitation and resistance of the current antifungal agents, there is an urgent need to search for novel antifungals. In this study, after screening a compound library (n=400) for antifungal activity, three members (metergoline, purpurin and baicalein) were chosen for further study. Their antifungal characteristics and the antifungal mechanisms were investigated. / Metergoline, a serotonin receptor antagonist, was found to have potent antifungal activity against the intrinsically fluconazole-resistant human fungal pathogen Candida krusei. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration of metergoline against C. krusei were 4 microg/ml and 8 microg/ml respectively. Metergoline induced post-antifungal effect. Significant synergism was found in combination of metergoline with amphotericin B by a checkerboard assay, which may be due to the perturbation of cell permeability and increase in the intracellular accumulation of antifungal agents. Metergoline also inhibited extracellular phospholipase production in C. krusei. To gain insights into the mechanisms, intracellular changes that accompany apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry and spectrophotometry. The results showed an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, phosphatidylserine externalization, and positive terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling in the metergoline-treated C. krusei . Taken together, we conclude that metergoline may promote apoptosis in C. krusei through reactive oxygen species production and perturbation in mitochondrial homeostasis, implying its antifungal potential to treat candidiasis. / The antifungal activity of purpurin, a natural red anthraquinone pigment in madder root (Rubia tinctorum L.), was evaluated against Candida isolates by a broth microdilution assay. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of purpurin against Candida species isolates were 1.28--5.12 microg/ml. Mechanistic studies indicated that purpurin inhibited energy-dependent efflux pumps of Candida isolates. Furthermore, purpurin demonstrated a depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting a possible linkage of the antifungal mechanism of purpurin to Candida apoptosis. / Kang, Kai. / Adviser: Fong Wing Ping. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-123). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

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