EXPLORING POLYKETIDES OF INSECT PATHOGENIC FUNGI

Authors: Gibson, Donna; KRASNOFF, STUART - CORNELL UNIVERSITY; CHURCHILL, A.C.L. - CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Proceedings of American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2005
Publication Date: 3/10/2005
Citation: Gibson, D.M., Krasnoff, S.B., Churchill, A. 2005. Exploring polyketides of insect pathogenic fungi. Proceedings of American Chemical Society National Meeting. 229(1-2):AGRO 10.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Polyketides and nonribosomally derived peptides are two important classes of secondary metabolites founds in filamentous fungi and bacteria. These classes of compounds may play important roles for those fungi that are found in ecological niches where multiple interactions occur with other organisms, including roles as toxins, antibiotics, signaling compounds, antioxidants, or pigments. Since little is known of the potential of these fungi to produce polyketides, we developed a degenerate PCR primer approach to screen organisms for the genes encoding polyketide synthase (PKS) in a core collection of insect pathogenic fungi. Our initial findings revealed that many of these fungi have the potential to produce both polyketides and peptides since the genes were both widespread and genetically diverse. These gene fragments have been used as probes to define conditions for expression in various fermentation conditions. From these molecular studies, isolates have been chemically screened for polyketides. A number of these compounds and their biological activities will be discussed in the context of agriculturally relevant activities.