Integrative interactomics applied to bovine fescue toxicosis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ryan S Mote, University of Georgia; Nicholas S Hill, University of Georgia; Joseph H Skarlupka, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jessica M Carpenter, University of Georgia; Jeferson M Lourenco, University of Georgia; Todd R Callaway, University of Georgia; Vilinh T Tran, Emory University; Ken Liu, Emory University; Matthew Smith, Emory University; Dean Jones, Emory University; Garret Suen, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Nikolay M Filipov, University of Georgia
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-03-22
• Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2022
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08540-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 4899
• End Page: 4899
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was funded from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grants # 67030-25004 and 67015-31301 to NMF.
• Keywords: ERGOT ALKALOIDS; EXCRETION; METABOLISM; BEEF-CATTLE; TALL FESCUE; Science & Technology; Multidisciplinary Sciences; PHYSIOLOGY; METABOLOMICS; ERGOVALINE; Science & Technology - Other Topics; ANAEROBIC FUNGI; VITAMIN-B-6
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pharmacology; Agriculture, Soil Science

Abstract

Bovine fescue toxicosis (FT) is caused by grazing ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala)-infected tall fescue. Endophyte’s effects on the animal’s microbiota and metabolism were investigated recently, but its effects in planta or on the plant–animal interactions have not been considered. We examined multi-compartment microbiota–metabolome perturbations using multi-‘omics (16S and ITS2 sequencing, plus untargeted metabolomics) in Angus steers grazing non-toxic (Max-Q) or toxic (E+) tall fescue for 28 days and in E+ plants. E+ altered the plant/animal microbiota, decreasing most ruminal fungi, with mixed effects on rumen bacteria and fecal microbiota. Metabolic perturbations occurred in all matrices, with some plant-animal overlap (e.g., Vitamin B6 metabolism). Integrative interactomics revealed unique E+ network constituents. Only E+ had ruminal solids OTUs within the network and fecal fungal OTUs in E+ had unique taxa (e.g., Anaeromyces). Three E+-unique urinary metabolites that could be potential biomarkers of FT and targeted therapeutically were identified.