Chemistry major, Alex T. Vai, has received a prestigious 2010 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Goldwater Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Alex’s career goal is to receive a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry. Alex is interested in researching chemical aspects of global interdisciplinary challenges, such as issues of energy and the environment.

A Role for Old Yellow Enzyme in Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Johnathan Z. Cheng, Christine M. Coyle,
Daniel G. Panaccione*, Sarah E. O’Connor*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2010) 132, 1776-1777

Ergot alkaloids, secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi, elicit a diverse array of pharmacological effects. The biosynthesis of this class of natural products has not been fully elucidated. The O'Connor Lab demonstrates that a homolog of Old Yellow Enzyme encoded in the Aspergillus fumigatus ergot gene cluster catalyzes reduction of the α,β unsaturated alkene of chanoclavine-I aldehyde 3. This reduction, which yields dihydrochanoclavine aldehyde, facilitates an intramolecular reaction between a secondary amine and aldehyde to form the D ring of the ergot alkaloid structural framework.