# Biochemical and Genetic Characterization of Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Aspergillus aspearensis

## TL;DR

A new fungus, Aspergillus aspearensis, produces ergot alkaloids, which are important as toxins and pharmaceuticals, and may be useful for research and production.

## Contribution

Discovery of a new non-Clavicipitaceae fungus producing ergot alkaloids with functional gene clusters.

## Key findings

- A. aspearensis produces lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide and other ergot alkaloids.
- The fungus produces ergot alkaloids during insect pathogenesis and completes its life cycle in insects.
- The genome contains two functional ergot alkaloid synthesis gene clusters without pseudogenization.

## Abstract

Ergot alkaloids derived from lysergic acid have impacted humankind significantly as toxins in agriculture and as the foundations of several pharmaceuticals. Few fungi capable of producing lysergic acid derivatives have been found outside the family Clavicipitaceae. Based on its phylogenetic placement, we hypothesized the recently described fungus Aspergillus aspearensis (Aspergillaceae) would synthesize lysergic acid amides. Cultures of A. aspearensis produced abundant lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide (LAH) and lesser amounts of other lysergic acid derivatives. Conidia contained high concentrations of ergot alkaloids, whereas sclerotia contained significantly less. Approximately half of the ergot alkaloids produced were secreted into the culture medium. When spores of A. aspearensis were injected into larvae of the model insect Galleria mellonella, larvae died at a significantly faster rate than control larvae. The fungus produced ergot alkaloids during insect pathogenesis and later produced conidia and sclerotia on cadavers, indicating it can complete its life cycle in an insect. The genome of A. aspearensis contained two complete ergot alkaloid synthesis gene clusters, similar to those of A. leporis; however, unlike its sister species, none of the ergot cluster genes were pseudogenized. Aspergillus aspearensis is a newly discovered source of ergot alkaloids and may be useful for studying and producing these important chemicals.