2.1.1.261 gene easF, a fragment of genomic DNA containing dmaW, easF, easE, and easC is amplified from the human-pathogenic, ergot alkaloid-producing fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and transformed into Aspergillus nidulans strain FGSC A767, a model fungus that does not contain any of the ergot alkaloid synthesis genes. Transformed Aspergillus nidulans strains produces chanoclavine-I and an earlier pathway intermediate 2.1.1.261 gene fgaMT, DNA and amino acid sequence determination and analysis, overexpression of the soluble His6-tagged enzyme in Escherichia coli strain XL-1 blue MRF- 2.1.1.261 recombinant heterologous enzyme expression in Aspergillus nidulans