Towards the elimination of ergot alkaloid biosynthesis genes in Neotyphodium Coenophialum

Neotyphodium coenophialum strain e19 from tall fescue cv. Kentucky 31 carries dmaW1 and dmaW2, two gene homologues that encode dimethylallyltryptophan synthase, the enzyme for the first step in ergot-alkaloid biosynthesis. In our effort to disrupt both homologues and ultimately obtain marker-free mutants, we are using a marker-exchange strategy employing the Cre/ loxP site-specific recombination system. Of 1522 transformants obtained and screened, three were likely dmaW2 disruptants because they gave no PCR product from the wild-type locus, but yielded the larger PCR fragment from the disruption construct. The putative dmaW2-knockouts were also transformed with pKAES186, a plasmid with a cassette containing the cre and ble genes in between loxP sequences. The transformants obtained were screened for the presence of hph, cre and ble genes. The preliminary results indicate a loop-out of the hph gene. The transformants inoculated into endophyte-free tall fescue preserved their compatibility with the plant. The fungus grown from these plants will be further analysed for the presence of hph, cre and ble genes. Keywords: Cre/LoxP, dimethylallyltryptophan synthase, dmaW, Epichloë, ergot alkaloids, Festuca arundinacea, gene knockouts, Lolium arundinaceum, Neotyphodium coenophialum, tall fescue