Engineering of lysergic acid in Aspergillus fumigatus

What is it about?

We have combined genes from two lineages of ergot alkaloid-producing fungi to engineer strain that produces the pharmaceutically important compound lysergic acid as an end product. In doing so, we have discovered new activities for an enzyme in the pathway. In related work, we have shown how combining genes from different lineages of ergot alkaloid-producing fungi can yield novel ergot alkaloids.

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Why is it important?

Our strategy shows how pharmaceutically relevant ergot alkaloids and novel ergot alkaloids can be produced in Aspergillus fumigatus by reprogramming its existing ergot alkaloid pathway.