title: Parasitic fungus Claviceps as a source for biotechnological production of ergot alkaloids.
abstract: Ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps parasitizing on cereals, include three major groups: clavine alkaloids, d-lysergic acid and its derivatives and ergopeptines. These alkaloids are important substances for the pharmatech industry, where they are used for production of anti-migraine drugs, uterotonics, prolactin inhibitors, anti-Parkinson agents, etc. Production of ergot alkaloids is based either on traditional field cultivation of ergot-infected rye or on submerged cultures of the fungus in industrial fermentation plants. In 2010, the total production of these alkaloids in the world was about 20,000 kg, of which field cultivation contributed about 50%. This review covers the recent advances in understanding of the genetics and regulation of biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids, focusing on possible applications of the new knowledge to improve the production yield.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hulvová
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galuszka
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frébortová
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Frébort
mesh_terms: D002967:Claviceps / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D005285:Fermentation; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012434:Secale / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids