PESTALOTIOPSIS GUEPINII, A TAXOL-PRODUCING ENDOPHYTE OF THE WOLLEMI PINE, WOLLEMIA-NOBILIS

Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi pine), an araucariaceous plant, whose closes t known relatives are from the Jurassic period, occurs in the Wollemi National Park near Sydney, Australia. This tree is host to many endoph ytic fungi, including Pestalotiopsis guepinii which produces taxol, an important anticancer drug. It was shown by immunological, spectroscop ic and chromatographic means to be identical with authentic taxol obta ined from Tarus brevifolia (Pacific yew). Since the Wollemi pine does not produce taxol, how might a taxol-producing fungus be present in th is unusual tree? Spores of P. guepinii possess several appendages whic h strongly interact with hydrophobic surfaces including plastics and t he pinnae of birds' feathers. Scanning electron microscopy of the coni dia of P. guepinii clearly shows the spores on the feathers of a green -checked conure and a cockatiel. Conceivably, the fungus may have acqu ired the ability to produce taxol from a foreign or local yew and then is carried to the Wollemi pine site by native birds.