title: [Use of polymerase chain reaction for searching for producers of ergot alkaloids from among microscopic fungi].
abstract: The potential of the polymerase chain reaction for the detection of ergot alkaloid producers among microscopic fungi of the genera Penicillium and Claviceps was evaluated. Twenty-three strains of various species of fungi with a previously studied capacity for alkaloid production were used. The internal fragment of the gene encoding 4-dimethylallyltryptophan synthase, the enzyme catalyzing the first step in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids, was amplified using degenerated primers. This approach revealed an about 1.2-kb specific DNA fragment in micromycetes synthesizing ergot alkaloids with complete tetracyclic ergoline system. Microorganisms that produce alkaloids with modified C or D ergoline rings, as well as alpha-cyclopiazonic acid, did not yield the PCR fragment of the expected size. This fragment was also not found in fungi incapable of ergot alkaloid production.
authors.affiliation: Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Oblast, 142292 Russia.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Boĭchenko
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Boĭchenko
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Vinokurova
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Reshetilova
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Arinbasarov
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002967:Claviceps / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C032409:tryptophan dimethylallyltransferase