Chemistry of endophytes: patterns and diversity

Neotyphodium spp. fungi in pasture grasses synthesise a diverse range of metabolites. In this report, recent progress in extending knowledge of the diversity of endophyte metabolites is reviewed, in particular the elucidation of indole-diterpenes and ergot alkaloids. Some 20 indole-diterpenes have been identified from N. lolii-infected perennial ryegrass, and several ergot alkaloids additional to ergovaline have been identified in perennial ryegrass and other grasses infected with Neotyphodium spp. endophytes. While lolitrem B, ergovaline, and peramine remain significant factors in understanding the biological activity of N. loliiinfected perennial ryegrass, a more complex and complete view of endophyte chemical ecology must now be developed. Keywords: chanoclavine-I, dehydroergovaline, endophyte, ergine, ergot alkaloid, indolediterpene, Neotyphodium spp., perennial ryegrass, tall fescue