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Metabolomics analysis of the Lolium perenne–Neotyphodium lolii symbiosis: more than just alkaloids?

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Abstract

Above ground plant parts of Lolium perenne often harbour endophytic Neotyphodium lolii fungi. These occur both naturally and commercially, as variant strains are introduced to modify the grass metabolic profile. They reside in the apoplastic spaces and rarely cause visible symptoms of infection. The vast majority of literature has focussed on the biosynthesis, accumulation, and ecological relevance of a limited number of alkaloids produced by N. lolii which have been shown to negatively affect insect pests and vertebrate herbivores. Much less is known about the effects of other metabolites in these interactions or the role of resource supply on metabolic profiles, nor critically on the metabolic consequences of differences in the amount (concentration) of endophyte present. Here, we provide a synthesis of some of our recently published studies on effects of resource supply (nitrogen, carbohydrates) on concentrations of endophytes and endophyte specific metabolites in the L. perenne–N. lolii association. We present results of both quantitative PCR and targeted metabolomics studies, using contrasting endophyte strains in two perennial ryegrass cultivars. We also present and discuss a hypothetical schematic representation of possible links between plant and fungal metabolic networks. A multiple regression analysis of numerical insect responses and metabolic profiles indicates that effects of endophyte infection on insect population sizes could be predicted by concentrations of a range of metabolites other than alkaloids and depended on insect species, fungal strain, and nitrogen supply.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. C. Voisey and Mr. M. Christensen (AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, NZ), and Prof. H. Koga (Ishikawa Prefectural University, Ishikawa, Japan) for providing us with the original micrographs shown in Fig. 1a, b. This review is based partially on work funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (contracts C10X0203 and PRJ10333-ECOS-AGR), and by grants from the Canadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgResearch Grasslands, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    Susanne Rasmussen & Anthony J. Parsons

  2. Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Jonathan A. Newman

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  1. Susanne Rasmussen
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  2. Anthony J. Parsons
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  3. Jonathan A. Newman
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Correspondence to Susanne Rasmussen.

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Rasmussen, S., Parsons, A.J. & Newman, J.A. Metabolomics analysis of the Lolium perenne–Neotyphodium lolii symbiosis: more than just alkaloids?. Phytochem Rev 8, 535–550 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-009-9136-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-009-9136-6

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