Inhibition of Fusarium trichothecene biosynthesis by yeast extract components extractable with ethyl acetate

Regulatory mechanism of trichothecene biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum

Among the genes involved in the biosynthesis of trichothecene (Tri genes), Tri6 and Tri10 encode a transcription factor with unique Cys₂His₂ zinc finger domains and a regulatory protein with no consensus DNA-binding sequences, respectively. Although various chemical factors, such as nitrogen nutrients, medium pH, and certain oligosaccharides, are known to influence trichothecene biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of Tri6 and Tri10 genes is poorly understood. Particularly, culture medium pH is a major regulator in trichothecene biosynthesis in F. graminearum, but it is susceptible to metabolic changes posed by nutritional and genetic factors. Hence, appropriate precautions should be considered to minimize the indirect influence of pH on the secondary metabolism while studying the roles of nutritional and genetic factors on trichothecene biosynthesis regulation. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the structural changes of the trichothecene gene cluster core region exert considerable influence over the normal regulation of Tri gene expression. In this perspective paper, we consider a revision of our current understanding of the regulatory mechanism of trichothecene biosynthesis in F. graminearum and share our idea toward establishing a regulatory model of Tri6 and Tri10 transcription.

Effect of Compactin on the Mycotoxin Production and Expression of Related Biosynthetic and Regulatory Genes in Toxigenic Fusarium culmorum

Zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins produced by various species of Fusarium fungi. They contaminate agricultural products and negatively influence human and animal health, thus representing a serious problem of the agricultural industry. Earlier we showed that compactin, a secondary metabolite of Penicillium citrinum, is able to completely suppress the aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by Aspergillus flavus. Using the F. culmorum strain FC-19 able to produce DON and ZEN, we demonstrated that compactin also significantly suppressed both DON (99.3%) and ZEN (100%) biosynthesis. The possible mechanisms of this suppression were elucidated by qPCR-based analysis of expression levels of 48 biosynthetic and regulatory genes. Expression of eight of 13 TRI genes, including TRI4, TRI5, and TRI101, was completely suppressed. A significant down-regulation was revealed for the TRI10, TRI9, and TRI14 genes. TRI15 was the only up-regulated gene from the TRI cluster. In the case of the ZEN cluster, almost complete suppression was observed for PKS4, PKS13, and ZEB1 genes, and the balance between two ZEB2 isoforms was altered. Among regulatory genes, an increased expression of GPA1 and GPA2 genes encoding α- and β-subunits of a G-protein was shown, whereas eight genes were down-regulated. The obtained results suggest that the main pathway for a compactin-related inhibition of the DON and ZEN biosynthesis affects the transcription of genes involved in the G-protein-cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. The revealed gene expression data may provide a better understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying mycotoxin production and its regulation.

Identification of amino acids negatively affecting Fusarium trichothecene biosynthesis

Nitrogen sources in media have a significant impact on the onset of secondary metabolism in fungi. For transcriptional activation of many nitrogen catabolic genes, an AreA transcription factor is indispensable. This also holds true for Fusarium graminearum that produces trichothecenes, an important group of mycotoxin, in axenic culture. Despite the presence of numerous consensus AreA-binding sites in the promoters of Tri genes in the trichothecene cluster core region, the effect of medium amino acids on trichothecene biosynthesis is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effect of certain amino acids, which were predicted to activate AreA function and increase Tri gene transcription, on trichothecene production in liquid culture. By frequent monitoring and adjustments in the pH of the culture medium, including replacement of the spent medium with fresh medium, we demonstrate the suppressive effects of the amino acids, used as the sole nitrogen source, on trichothecene biosynthesis. When the medium pH was maintained at 4.0, Gly, L-Ser, and L-Thr suppressed trichothecene production by F. graminearum. Enhanced trichothecene-inducing effects were observed when the medium pH was 3.5, with only L-Thr suppressing trichothecene synthesis.