Screening the endophytic flora of Wollemia nobilis for alternative paclitaxel sources

Abstract

The endophytic flora of Wollemia nobilis was investigated in search for alternative paclitaxel producers. On one hand, metabolic profiling of the obtained specimens using an immunoenzymatic technique was carried out. On the other, we aimed at revealing the genetic background of presumed paclitaxel biosynthesis in the isolates. We found an indication of endophytic taxane production in the extracts of two strains, Phomopsis sp. and Cladosporium langeronii. A PCR-based screening for taxadiene synthase, a gene unique to the formation of the taxane skeleton, confirmed the molecular blueprint for paclitaxel biosynthesis to be an inherent characteristic of the latter. Although this result makes C. langeronii an interesting candidate for further study, we postulate that proclaiming it 'a fungus factory for paclitaxel', as has been done for several other endophytes in the past, might still be premature. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.