The identification of corynetoxin-like tunicaminyluracil-glycolipids from nematode galls in Festuca nigrescens from North America and New Zealand

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title><p>Nematode seed galls from <italic>Festuca nigrescens</italic> obtained from New Zealand and USA were examined using an ELISA for the presence of an antigen derived from the corynetoxin (CT)-producing bacterium, <italic>Rathayibacter toxicus</italic>. Since the galls from New Zealand were only weakly positive, and those from USA were negative, for the presence of the <italic>R. toxicus</italic> antigen, it was determined whether CT-like material was present. Tunicaminyluracil-glycolipids, similar to CTs produced by <italic>R. toxicus</italic> were identified in old nematode seed galls from <italic>F. nigrescens</italic> from USA and New Zealand. The estimates of CT-like levels in galls by ELISA, HPLC and <italic>in vitro</italic> enzyme inhibition were consistent.</p>