The relationship between swainsonine-containing plants and endophytic fungi

Abstract Text: Swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid with significant physiological activity, is an α-mannosidase and mannosidase II inhibitor that alters glycoprotein processing and causes lysosomal storage disease.  Swainsonine is present in a number of plant families worldwide including the Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, and Malvaceae and causes severe toxicosis in livestock grazing these plants.  The three families of swainsonine containing plants are represented by six genera of plants: Ipomoea, Turbina, Astragalus, Oxytropis, Swainsona, and Sida.  Two families of fungal endophytes, Pleosporaceae and Chaetothyriaceae, that produce swainsonine have been isolated from the Fabaceae and Convolvulaceae swainsonine-containing plants, respectively.  Data will be presented in regard to these plant endophyte relationships.  Additionally data will be presented characterizing this interaction and the influence of environment and genotype in determining swainsonine concentrations in planta.  Furthermore we will present data further exploring the diversity of plants containing swainsonine and their associated endophytes.      

Keywords: Swainsonine, Locoweed, Morning Glory