Appearance of enzyme activities catalyzing conversion of sterigmatocystin to aflatoxin B1 in late-growth-phase Aspergillus parasiticus cultures

Metabolites Identified during Varied Doses of Aspergillus Species in Zea mays Grains, and Their Correlation with Aflatoxin Levels

Aflatoxin contamination is associated with the development of aflatoxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on food grains. This study was aimed at investigating metabolites produced during fungal development on maize and their correlation with aflatoxin levels. Maize cobs were harvested at R3 (milk), R4 (dough), and R5 (dent) stages of maturity. Individual kernels were inoculated in petri dishes with four doses of fungal spores. Fungal colonisation, metabolite profile, and aflatoxin levels were examined. Grain colonisation decreased with kernel maturity: milk-, dough-, and dent-stage kernels by approximately 100%, 60%, and 30% respectively. Aflatoxin levels increased with dose at dough and dent stages. Polar metabolites including alanine, proline, serine, valine, inositol, iso-leucine, sucrose, fructose, trehalose, turanose, mannitol, glycerol, arabitol, inositol, myo-inositol, and some intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA—also known as citric acid or Krebs cycle) were important for dose classification. Important non-polar metabolites included arachidic, palmitic, stearic, 3,4-xylylic, and margaric acids. Aflatoxin levels correlated with levels of several polar metabolites. The strongest positive and negative correlations were with arabitol (R = 0.48) and turanose and (R = −0.53), respectively. Several metabolites were interconnected with the TCA; interconnections of the metabolites with the TCA cycle varied depending upon the grain maturity.

Current understanding on aflatoxin biosynthesis and future perspective in reducing aflatoxin contamination

Traditional molecular techniques have been used in research in discovering the genes and enzymes that are involved in aflatoxin formation and genetic regulation. We cloned most, if not all, of the aflatoxin pathway genes. A consensus gene cluster for aflatoxin biosynthesis was discovered in 2005. The factors that affect aflatoxin formation have been studied. In this report, the author summarized the current status of research progress and future possibilities that may be used for solving aflatoxin contamination.

Function of native OmtA in vivo and expression and distribution of this protein in colonies of Aspergillus parasiticus

The activities of two enzymes, a 168-kDa protein and a 40-kDa protein, OmtA, purified from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus parasiticus were reported to convert the aflatoxin pathway intermediate sterigmatocystin to O-methylsterigmatocystin in vitro. Our initial goal was to determine if OmtA is necessary and sufficient to catalyze this reaction in vivo and if this reaction is necessary for aflatoxin synthesis. We generated A. parasiticus omtA-null mutant LW1432 and a maltose binding protein-OmtA fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli. Enzyme activity analysis of OmtA fusion protein in vitro confirmed the reported catalytic function of OmtA. Feeding studies conducted with LW1432 demonstrated a critical role for OmtA, and the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme in aflatoxin synthesis in vivo. Because of a close regulatory link between aflatoxin synthesis and asexual sporulation (conidiation), we hypothesized a spatial and temporal association between OmtA expression and conidiospore development. We developed a novel time-dependent colony fractionation protocol to analyze the accumulation and distribution of OmtA in fungal colonies grown on a solid medium that supports both toxin synthesis and conidiation. OmtA-specific polyclonal antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography using an LW1432 protein extract. OmtA was not detected in 24-h-old colonies but was detected in 48-h-old colonies using Western blot analysis; the protein accumulated in all fractions of a 72-h-old colony, including cells (0 to 24 h) in which little conidiophore development was observed. OmtA in older fractions of the colony (24 to 72 h) was partly degraded. Fluorescence-based immunohistochemical analysis conducted on thin sections of paraffin-embedded fungal cells from time-fractionated fungal colonies demonstrated that OmtA is evenly distributed among different cell types and is not concentrated in conidiophores. These data suggest that OmtA is present in newly formed fungal tissue and then is proteolytically cleaved as cells in that section of the colony age.

The impact of multiple drug resistance (MDR) proteins on chemotherapy and drug discovery

Transportation of molecules across the cell membrane in living organisms is a critical aspect of life. Transportation includes importation of nutrients from the environment and exportation of toxic compounds. When export includes therapeutic compounds, then the practice of clinical medicine may become compromised. Often efflux of therapeutic compounds is mediated by a large superfamily of proteins referred to as multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins. The initial sections of this chapter are focused on MDR proteins and their negative impact on clinical medicine in cancer chemotherapy as well as infectious diseases mediated by bacteria, fungi and parasites. A brief description of major classes of MDR proteins found in microbes is followed by a more exhaustive treatment of ABC transporters in lower eukaryotes and parasites as well as cancerous mammalian cells. Later sections deal with potential and real positive aspects and applications brought about by a growing knowledge of MDR proteins. Examples described include improved antibiotic production, leveraging MDR proteins in drug discovery, new therapeutic options, dual therapy in treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, and finally MDR proteins as targets for new classes of therapeutic compounds.

Requirement of monooxygenase-mediated steps for sterigmatocystin biosynthesis by Aspergillus nidulans

Sterigmatocystin (ST) and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) are two polyketide-derived Aspergillus mycotoxins synthesized by functionally identical sets of enzymes. ST, the compound produced by Aspergillus nidulans, is a late intermediate in the AFB(1) pathway of A. parasiticus and A. flavus. Previous biochemical studies predicted that five oxygenase steps are required for the formation of ST. A 60-kb ST gene cluster in A. nidulans contains five genes, stcB, stcF, stcL, stcS, and stcW, encoding putative monooxygenase activities. Prior research showed that stcL and stcS mutants accumulated versicolorins B and A, respectively. We now show that strains disrupted at stcF, encoding a P-450 monooxygenase similar to A. parasiticus avnA, accumulate averantin. Disruption of either StcB (a putative P-450 monooxygenase) or StcW (a putative flavin-requiring monooxygenase) led to the accumulation of averufin as determined by radiolabeled feeding and extraction studies.

Synthesis of sterigmatocystin derivatives and their biotransformation to aflatoxins by a blocked mutant of Aspergillus parasiticus

Seven alkyl and aryl homologues of O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) were synthesised and fed in separate experiments to a mutant of Aspergillus parasiticus capable of converting sterigmatocystin (ST) to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Their conversion to AFB1 was followed over a time period and it was found that O-propylsterigmatocystin (OPRST) was converted to AFB1 more rapidly than O-ethylsterigmatocystin (OEST) or OMST or ST itself. The aryl derivative O-benzoylsterigmatocystin (OBzST) was converted at the slowest rate. These results show that alkyl and aryl homologues of OMST may be converted to AFB1, suggesting that the methylation of ST is not an absolute requirement for its conversion to AFB1. It seems likely that whatever enzyme(s) are involved in this process exhibit relative specificity. As to whether alkylation of ST is an obligatory step in AFB1 biosynthesis is neither supported nor disproved as the fungal cells used are presumably capable of methylating ST. The fact that the propyl derivative showed fastest conversion is not necessarily significant as this may be due to faster diffusion of the least polar of the derivatives through the cell membrane.

Characterization of the critical amino acids of an Aspergillus parasiticus cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase encoded by ordA that is involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and G2

The conversion of O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) and dihydro-O-methylsterigmatocystin to aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and G2 requires a cytochrome P-450 type of oxidoreductase activity. ordA, a gene adjacent to the omtA gene, was identified in the aflatoxin-biosynthetic pathway gene cluster by chromosomal walking in Aspergillus parasiticus. The ordA gene was a homolog of the Aspergillus flavus ord1 gene, which is involved in the conversion of OMST to aflatoxin B1. Complementation of A. parasiticus SRRC 2043, an OMST-accumulating strain, with the ordA gene restored the ability to produce aflatoxins B1, G1, B2, and G2. The ordA gene placed under the control of the GAL1 promoter converted exogenously supplied OMST to aflatoxin B1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast, the ordA gene homolog in A. parasiticus SRRC 2043, ordA1, was not able to carry out the same conversion in the yeast system. Sequence analysis revealed that the ordA1 gene had three point mutations which resulted in three amino acid changes (His-400-->Leu-400, Ala-143-->Ser-143, and Ile-528-->Tyr-528). Site-directed mutagenesis studies showed that the change of His-400 to Leu-400 resulted in a loss of the monooxygenase activity and that Ala-143 played a significant role in the catalytic conversion. In contrast, Ile-528 was not associated with the enzymatic activity. The involvement of the ordA gene in the synthesis of aflatoxins G1, and G2 in A. parasiticus suggests that enzymes required for the formation of aflatoxins G1 and G2 are not present in A. flavus. The results showed that in addition to the conserved heme-binding and redox reaction domains encoded by ordA, other seemingly domain-unrelated amino acid residues are critical for cytochrome P-450 catalytic activity. The ordA gene has been assigned to a new cytochrome P-450 gene family named CYP64 by The Cytochrome P450 Nomenclature Committee.

Development of polyclonal antibodies for detection of aflatoxigenic molds involving culture filtrate and chimeric proteins expressed in Escherichia coli

Polyclonal antibodies (PAb) were raised against an aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus by using two different sources for antibody elicitation: (i) filtrate of a culture on which the fungus had been grown (ii) and two chimeric proteins, expressed in Escherichia coli as separate products, of the genes ver-1 and apa-2, which are involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis. The gene products were amplified by PCR, and each was cloned into the E. coli expression vector pGEX2T. Upon induction, the bacteria overexpressed 38- and 33-kDa chimeric proteins corresponding to the N-terminal domains of the genes ver-1 and apa-2, respectively. The chimeric proteins were isolated and affinity purified for use as antigens. The specificity of the raised antibodies was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The PAbs raised against the culture filtrate reacted with all the species of Aspergillus and Penicillium tested but not with Fusarium species or corn gain. However, the PAbs elicited against the chimeric proteins were highly specific, showing significantly higher ELISA absorbance values (A405) against A. parasiticus and A. flavus than against the other fungi tested and the corn grain. The approach of utilizing gene products associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis for antibody production therefore appears to be feasible. Such a multiantibody system combined with the PCR technique, could provide a useful tool for the rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of aflatoxin producers present in grains and foods.

Analysis of mechanisms regulating expression of the ver-1 gene, involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis

Previous studies have shown that ver-1A encodes an enzyme which is directly involved in the conversion of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin during aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) biosynthesis in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus parasiticus. In this study, two different tools were utilized to study the regulation of ver-1A expression at the level of transcription and protein accumulation. First, a ver-1A cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli with the vector pMAL-c2. The resulting maltose-binding protein-Ver-1A fusion protein was purified and used to generate polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analyses showed that these antibodies specifically recognized the Ver-1 protein (approximately 28 kDa) in cell extracts of Aspergillus parasiticus SU1. Second, a GUS (uidA; encodes beta-glucuronidase) reporter system was developed by fusing the ver-1A promoter and transcription terminator to the GUS gene. Reporter constructs were transformed into A. parasiticus, resulting in a single copy of the ver-1A-GUS reporter integrated adjacent to the wild-type ver-1A gene (3' end) in the chromosome. Western blot analysis, Northern hybridization analysis, and a GUS activity assay were used to analyze transformants. The timing of appearance and pattern of accumulation of GUS transcript and GUS protein in transformants were consistent with the timing of appearance and pattern of accumulation of ver-1 transcript and Ver-1 protein. These data suggested that the GUS gene was under the same regulatory control as the wild-type ver-1 gene and confirmed that transcriptional regulation plays an important role in ver-1A expression. Integration of the ver-1A-GUS reporter construct at the niaD locus resulted in 500-fold-lower GUS activity, but the temporal pattern of accumulation of GUS activity was not affected. Therefore, chromosomal location can play a role in determining the level of gene expression in A. parasiticus and should be an important consideration when analyzing promoter function in this organism.

Isolation and characterization of the versicolorin B synthase gene from Aspergillus parasiticus. Expansion of the aflatoxin b1 biosynthetic gene cluster

Versicolorin B synthase catalyzes the side chain cyclization of racemic versiconal hemiacetal to the bisfuran ring system of(-)-versicolorin B, an essential transformation in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway of Aspergillus parasiticus. The dihydrobisfuran is key to the mutagenic nature of aflatoxin B1. The protein, which shows 58% similarity and 38% identity with glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger, possesses an amino-terminal sequence homologous to the ADP-binding region of other flavoenzymes. However, this enzyme does not require flavin or nicotinamide cofactors for its cyclase activity. The 643-amino acid native enzyme contains three potential sites for N-linked glycosylation, Asn-Xaa-Thr or Asn-Xaa-Ser. The cDNA and genomic clones of versicolorin B synthase were isolated by screening the respective libraries with random-primed DNA probes generated from an exact copy of an internal vbs sequence. This probe was created through polymerase chain reaction by using nondegenerate polymerase chain reaction primers derived from the amino acid sequences of peptide fragments of the enzyme. The 1985-base genomic vbs DNA sequence is interrupted by one intron of 53 nucleotides. Southern blotting, nucleotide sequencing, and detailed restriction mapping of the vbs-containing genomic clones revealed the presence of omtA, a methyltransferase active in the biosynthesis, 3.3 kilobases upstream of vbs and oriented in the opposite direction from vbs. The presence of omtA in close proximity to vbs supports the theory that the genes encoding the aflatoxin biosynthetic enzymes in A. parasiticus are clustered.

Molecular characterization of an Aspergillus parasiticus dehydrogenase gene, norA, located on the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene cluster

An Aspergillus parasiticus cDNA library was screened with monoclonal antibody raised against a purified A. parasiticus 43-kDa protein demonstrating norsolorinic acid reductase (NOR) activity. One immunopositive clone contained a cDNA insert of 1,418 bp. DNA sequence analysis of this cDNA identified an open reading frame of 1,167 bp that represented the norA gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the norA coding region consisted of 388 residues capable of encoding a polypeptide of 43.7 kDa. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from A. parasiticus indicated that there may be an additional copy of norA. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of crude protein extracts of A. parasiticus mycelia demonstrated a band of reactivity at 43 kDa only when the fungus was grown in a medium conducive to aflatoxin biosynthesis. Northern (RNA) blot analysis of total RNA from the fungus demonstrated a band of hybridization at about 1.5 kb. As observed with the fungal NORA protein, the norA transcript was present only when the fungus was grown in medium conducive to aflatoxin biosynthesis. Hybridization of the norA cDNA with cosmid DNAs known to encompass a major portion of the A. parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway gene cluster placed the norA gene coding region just upstream of the ver-1 gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of norA had 49% amino acid identity with that of an aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase (aad) gene from Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Comparison of the omtA genes encoding O-methyltransferases involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis from Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus

O-methyltransferase (OMT) is one of the key enzymes in aflatoxin (AF) biosynthesis in the fungi, Aspergillus flavus (Af) and A. parasiticus (Ap). Genomic DNA clones containing the omtA genes from Ap strain SRRC 143 and Af strain CRA01-2B were sequenced. Comparison of the genomic DNA sequences with the cDNA of this Ap gene revealed the presence of four introns ranging from 52 to 60 bp in length in both species; the region encoding the putative S-adenosylmethionine-binding motif was located between the third and fourth introns. The coding sequence of omtA from Ap strain SRRC 143 demonstrated a greater than 97% sequence identity with that from Af strain CRA01-2B, within the coding region.

Comparative mapping of aflatoxin pathway gene clusters in Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Aflatoxins are synthesized by condensation of acetate units; their synthesis is estimated to involve at least 16 different enzymes. In this study we have shown that at least nine genes involved in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway are located within a 60-kb DNA fragment. Four of these genes, nor-1, aflR, ver-1, and omtA (previously named omt-1), have been cloned in A. flavus and A. parasiticus. In addition, five other genes, pksA, uvm8, aad, ord-1, and ord-2 have been recently cloned in A. parasiticus. The pksA, aad, and uvm8 genes exhibit sequence homologies to polyketide synthase, aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, and fatty acid synthase genes, respectively. The cDNA sequences of ord-1 and ord-2 genes, which may be involved in later steps of aflatoxin biosynthesis, have been determined; the ord-1 gene product exhibits homology to cytochrome P-450-type enzymes. By characterizing the overlapping regions of the DNA inserts in different cosmid and lambda DNA clones, we have determined the order of these aflatoxin pathway genes within this 60-kb DNA region to be pksA, nor-1, uvm8, aflR, aad, ver-1, ord-1, ord-2, and omtA in A. parasiticus and nor-1, aflR, ver-1, ord-1, ord-2, and omtA in A. flavus. The order is related to the order in enzymatic steps required for aflatoxin biosynthesis. The physical distances (in kilobase pairs) and the directions of transcription of these genes have been determined for both aflatoxigenic species.

A red pigment synthesized by an Aspergillus parasiticus mutant as a possible new intermediate in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway

The isolation of a red pigment from an Aspergillus parasiticus mutant obtained by 366 nm u.v. light treatment of A. parasiticus NRRL 2999 is described. Studies of conversion in aflatoxin B1 and G1 suggest that the red pigment could be a possible new intermediate in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway not described to date, and this has been verified by studies in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The solubility and stability characteristics under refrigeration storage, and the influence of the temperature and the pH on its production by the A. parasiticus mutant were also studied. It grew best at 30 degrees C and pH 6. The red pigment was most soluble in ethyl acetate. The results obtained in water are emphasized where there was high stability.

Inhibition of Aflatoxin Production by Surfactants

The effect of 12 surfactants on aflatoxin production, growth, and conidial germination by the fungus Aspergillus flavus is reported. Five nonionic surfactants, Triton X-100, Tergitol NP-7, Tergitol NP-10, polyoxyethylene (POE) 10 lauryl ether, and Latron AG-98, reduced aflatoxin production by 96 to 99% at 1% (wt/vol). Colony growth was restricted by the five nonionic surfactants at this concentration. Aflatoxin production was inhibited 31 to 53% by lower concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.001 to 0.0001%) at which colony growth was not affected. Triton X-301, a POE-derived anionic surfactant, had an effect on colony growth and aflatoxin production similar to that of the five POE-derived nonionic surfactants. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant, and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a cationic surfactant, suppressed conidial germination at 1% (wt/vol). SDS had no effect on aflatoxin production or colony growth at 0.001%. The degree of aflatoxin inhibition by a surfactant appears to be a function of the length of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic chains of POE-derived surfactants.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA from Aspergillus parasiticus encoding an O-methyltransferase involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis

Aflatoxins are polyketide-derived secondary metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Among the catalytic steps in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway, the conversion of sterigmatocystin to O-methylsterigmatocystin and the conversion of dihydrosterigmatocystin to dihydro-O-methylsterigmatocystin are catalyzed by an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent O-methyltransferase. A cDNA library was constructed by using RNA isolated from a 24-h-old culture of wild-type A. parasiticus SRRC 143 and was screened by using polyclonal antiserum raised against a purified 40-kDa O-methyltransferase protein. A clone that harbored a full-length cDNA insert (1,460 bp) containing the 1,254-bp coding region of the gene omt-1 was identified by the antiserum and isolated. The complete cDNA sequence was determined, and the corresponding 418-amino-acid sequence of the native enzyme with a molecular weight of 46,000 was deduced. This 46-kDa native enzyme has a leader sequence of 41 amino acids, and the mature form of the enzyme apparently consists of 377 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 42,000. Direct sequencing of the purified mature enzyme from A. parasiticus SRRC 163 showed that 19 of 22 amino acid residues were identical to the amino acid residues in an internal region of the deduced amino acid sequence of the mature protein. The 1,460-bp omt-1 cDNA was cloned into an Escherichia coli expression system; a Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of crude extracts from this expression system revealed a 51-kDa fusion protein (fused with a 5-kDa beta-galactosidase N-terminal fragment).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulated expression of the nor-1 and ver-1 genes associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis

RNA transcript accumulation for the ver-1 and nor-1 genes, which are associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis in the fungus Aspergillus parasiticus, was measured before and during aflatoxin production in liquid shake culture. Transcripts were not detected until near the end of trophophase (growth phase) and could still be observed well into stationary phase during batch fermentation in an aflatoxin-supporting growth medium. Maximum accumulation of both transcripts occurred just prior to the onset of stationary phase. Aflatoxin B1 was first detected approximately 8 h after the appearance of the ver-1 and nor-1 transcripts. In contrast, maximum transcript accumulation for the pyrG gene (encoding orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase), which is involved in primary metabolism, was observed at the onset of trophophase when the ver-1 and nor-1 transcripts could not be detected. Accumulation of the ver-1 and nor-1 transcripts was also studied following a nutritional shift from a non-aflatoxin-supporting medium (peptone mineral salts [PMS]) to a glucose-containing medium (glucose mineral salts [GMS]), which does support aflatoxin biosynthesis. Transcripts from ver-1 and nor-1 could not be detected on PMS medium but did accumulate approximately 4 to 7 h following transfer to GMS medium. Additionally, aflatoxins were not detected in PMS medium but were observed to accumulate within 24 h after the shift from PMS to GMS. These data suggest that aflatoxin biosynthesis is in part regulated by the accumulation of the ver-1 and nor-1 transcripts.

Purification of a 40-kilodalton methyltransferase active in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway

The penultimate step in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway of the filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus involves conversion of sterigmatocystin to O-methylsterigmatocystin. An S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase that catalyzes this reaction was purified to homogeneity (> 90%) from 78-h-old mycelia of A. parasiticus SRRC 163. Purification of this soluble enzyme was carried out by five soft-gel chromatographic steps: cell debris remover treatment, QMA ACELL chromatography, hydroxylapatite-Ultrogel chromatography, DEAE-Spherodex chromatography, and Octyl Avidgel chromatography, followed by MA7Q high-performance liquid chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the protein peak from this step on silver staining identified a single band of approximately 40 kDa. This purified protein was distinct from the dimeric 168-kDa methyltransferase purified from the same fungal strain under identical growth conditions (D. Bhatnagar, A. H. J. Ullah, and T. E. Cleveland, Prep. Biochem. 18:321-349, 1988). The chromatographic behavior and N-terminal sequence of the 40-kDa enzyme were also distinct from those of the 168-kDa methyltransferase. The molar extinction coefficient of the 40-kDa enzyme at 278 nm was estimated to be 4.7 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1 in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5).

Cloning of the afl-2 gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis from Aspergillus flavus

Aflatoxins are extremely potent carcinogens produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Cloning of genes in the aflatoxin pathway provides a specific approach to understanding the regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis and, subsequently, to the control of aflatoxin contamination of food and feed. This paper reports the isolation of a gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis by complementation of an aflatoxin-nonproducing mutant with a wild-type genomic cosmid library of A. flavus. Strain 650-33, blocked in aflatoxin biosynthesis at the afl-2 allele, was complemented by a 32-kb cosmid clone (B9), resulting in the production of aflatoxin. The onset and profile of aflatoxin accumulation was similar for the transformed strain and the wild-type strain (NRRL 3357) of the fungus, indicating that the integrated gene is under the same control as in wild-type strains. Complementation analyses with DNA fragments from B9 indicated that the gene resides within a 2.2-kb fragment. Because this gene complements the mutated afl-2 allele, it was designated afl-2. Genetic evidence obtained from a double mutant showed that afl-2 is involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis before the formation of norsolorinic acid, the first stable intermediate identified in the pathway. Further, metabolite feeding studies with the mutant, transformed, and wild-type cultures and enzymatic activity measurements in cell extracts of these cultures suggest that afl-2 regulates gene expression or the activity of other aflatoxin pathway enzymes. This is the first reported isolation of a gene for aflatoxin biosynthesis in A. flavus.

Isolation and characterization of a gene from Aspergillus parasiticus associated with the conversion of versicolorin A to sterigmatocystin in aflatoxin biosynthesis

DNA isolated from the wild-type aflatoxin-producing (Afl+) fungus Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 5862 was used to construct a cosmid genomic DNA library employing the homologous gene (pyrG) encoding orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase for selection of fungal transformants. The cosmid library was transformed into an Afl- mutant, A. parasiticus CS10 (ver-1 wh-1 pyrG), deficient in the conversion of the aflatoxin biosynthetic intermediate versicolorin A to sterigmatocystin. One pyrG+ Afl+ transformant was identified. DNA fragments from this transformant, recovered by marker rescue, contained part of the cosmid vector including the pyrG gene, the ampr gene, and a piece of the original genomic insert DNA. Transformation of these rescued DNA fragments into A. parasiticus CS10 resulted in production of wild-type levels of aflatoxin and abundant formation of sclerotia. The gene responsible for this complementation (ver-1) was identified by Northern RNA analysis and transformation with subcloned DNA fragments. The approximate locations of transcription initiation and polyadenylation sites of ver-1 were determined by an RNase protection assay and cDNA sequence analysis. The predicted amino acid sequence, deduced from the ver-1 genomic and cDNA nucleotide sequences, was compared with the EMBL and GenBank data bases. The search revealed striking similarity with Streptomyces ketoreductases involved in polyketide biosynthesis.

Cloning of a gene associated with aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Aspergillus parasiticus

A cosmid library was constructed by inserting genomic DNA isolated from a wild-type aflatoxin-producing strain of Aspergillus parasiticus (SU-1) into a cosmid vector containing an homologous nitrate reductase (niaD) gene as a selectable marker. One cosmid was isolated which complemented an aflatoxin-deficient, nitrate-nonutilizing mutant strain, A. parasiticus B62 (nor-1, niaD), to aflatoxin production. Deletion and complementation analyses showed that a 1.7 kb BglII-SphI DNA fragment isolated from this cosmid was responsible for renewed aflatoxin production. Northern hybridization analyses revealed that the major RNA transcribed from this DNA fragment was 1.4 kilonucleotides in size. Genetic complementation proved to be a useful strategy for cloning a gene associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis in A. parasiticus.

Molecular cloning of genes related to aflatoxin biosynthesis by differential screening

A differential hybridization strategy was used to clone genes associated with aflatoxin biosynthesis. A genomic library, formed between nuclear DNA and the pUC19 plasmid, was screened with three different cDNA probes by the colony hybridization procedure. Nineteen clones were selected; all were positively correlated with and presumably enriched with genes associated with aflatoxin production. Some of these clones were further characterized by using them as probes in Northern (RNA blot) hybridizations. Five clones hybridized strongly with some polyadenylated RNAs formed during the transition to or during idiophase when aflatoxin was produced. However, little or no corresponding hybridization occurred with polyadenylated RNAs formed in early and mid-log growth phase. Two of the clones were further used as probes to hybridize with polyadenylated RNAs formed under aflatoxin-permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. Hybridization occurred with RNA species formed under the permissive temperature only.

Transformation of sterigmatocystin and O-methylsterigmatocystin by aflatoxigenic and nonaflatoxigenic field isolates of the Aspergillus flavus group

Transformation of sterigmatocystin and O-methylsterigmatocystin (two metabolic aflatoxin precursors) to aflatoxins by aflatoxigenic and nonaflatoxigenic field isolates of Aspergillus flavus was studied. The 24 nonaflatoxigenic isolates investigated failed to transform both precursors. Among the 8 aflatoxin-producing isolated used, 7 transformed both precursors whereas the remaining failed to transform both. According to these results, the usefulness of the measurement of enzymatic activities related to aflatoxin production in understanding the true status of conflictive field isolates is discussed.

Aflatoxin production via cross-feeding of pathway intermediates during cofermentation of aflatoxin pathway-blocked Aspergillus parasiticus mutants

Cofermentation of Aspergillus parasiticus strains (SRRC 163 and SRRC 2043) blocked at different steps in the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) biosynthetic pathway in a synthetic liquid medium or on seeds (cottonseed, corn kernels, and peanuts) resulted in production of AFB1. Strain SRRC 2043 accumulated O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST), a late precursor in AFB1 biosynthesis, whereas SRRC 163 accumulated averantin, an early precursor in the pathway. Strain SRRC 2043 secreted large amounts of OMST in culture relative to the amounts of several other pathway intermediates secreted into media (by other AFB1 pathway-blocked strains). AFB1 production occurred even when colonies of SRRC 163 and SRRC 2043 strains (producing no detectable AFB1) were grown together on an agar medium while physically separated from each other by a filter membrane (0.22-micron pore size). In addition, when mycelia of strain SRRC 163 were added to culture filtrates (containing no mycelia but containing secreted OMST) of strain SRRC 2043, AFB1 production occurred. The results suggested a chemical (rather than genetic) mechanism of complementation for AFB1 production between AFB1 pathway-blocked strains, since no mycelial contact was required between these strains for AFB1 production. The mechanism for chemical complementation involves secretion of OMST by SRRC 2043 and subsequent absorption and conversion of OMST to AFB1 by mycelia of strain SRRC 163.

A versiconal hemiacetal acetate converting enzyme in aflatoxin biosynthesis

Conversion of the aflatoxin biosynthetic intermediate versiconal hemiacetal acetate (VHA) in a cell free extract of Aspergillus parasiticus ATCC 15517 is investigated. The enzymatic reaction is monitored by a method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major product of the enzymatic reaction is a water soluble compound not chloroform-extractable at pH 7.5. The product becomes chloroform extractable upon acidification of the reaction medium and is separated and quantitated by reversed-phase HPLC. It is tentatively identified as 'versiconal hemiacetal alcohol,' which is converted to versicolorin C (VC) upon acid treatment.

Two distinct O-methyltransferases in aflatoxin biosynthesis

The substances belonging to the sterigmatocystin group bear a close structural relationship to aflatoxins. When demethylsterigmatocystin (DMST) was fed to Aspergillus parasiticus NIAH-26, which endogenously produces neither aflatoxins nor precursors in YES medium, aflatoxins B1 and G1 were produced. When dihydrodemethylsterigmatocystin (DHDMST) was fed to this mutant, aflatoxins B2 and G2 were produced. Results of the cell-free experiment with S-adenosyl-[methyl-3H]methionine showed that first the C-6-OH groups of DMST and DHDMST are methylated to produce sterigmatocystin and dihydrosterigmatocystin (O-methyltransferase I) and then the C-7-OH groups are methylated to produce O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) and dihydro-O-methylsterigmatocystin (DHOMST) (O-methyltransferase II). However, no methyltransferase activity was observed when either OMST, DHOMST, 5,6-dimethoxysterigmatocystin, 5-methoxysterigmatocystin, or sterigmatin was incubated with the cell extract. Treatment of the cell extract with N-ethylmaleimide inhibited O-methyltransferase I activity but not that of O-methyltransferase II. Furthermore, these O-methyltransferases were different in their protein molecules and were involved in both the reactions from DMST to OMST and DHDMST to DHOMST. The reactions described in this paper were not observed when the same mold had been cultured in YEP medium.

Metabolic precursor regulation of aflatoxin formation in toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus

Non-aflatoxin-producing isolates of Aspergillus flavus from nature and isolates of A. flavus that had lost their toxigenic trait following laboratory transfer were compared biochemically. After the addition of aflatoxin B1 precursors sterigmatocystin or O-methylsterigmatocystin to whole cell cultures, the non-toxin producing isolates from nature remained non-toxigenic while toxigenicity was restored in the non-toxigenic laboratory strains. Results imply a lack of enzymes needed for biochemical conversions of precursors to aflatoxin B1 in natural non-producers and suppression of these enzymes in the non-producing laboratory strains.

Enzymes in aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis: strategies for identifying pertinent genes

Recent work on the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway is reviewed, with special emphasis on the enzymes of the late stages of the pathway involving conversion of sterigmatocystin (ST) to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) through an O-methylsterigmatocystin intermediate. Two enzyme activities were discovered in subcellular fractions of cell-free extracts of a mutant strain of Aspergillus parasiticus (SRRC 163): 1) A post-microsomal methyltransferase (MT) catalyzed conversion of ST to OMST, and 2) a microsomal-associated activity (oxido-reductase) converted OMST to AFB1. The 168 KDa, anionic MT was purified to homogeneity and characterized (two subunits, 110 KDa and 58 KDa). Preliminary evidence indicated the presence of a cationic isozyme of the MT in mycelial extracts. The oxido-reductase has been partially purified and characterized. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared to the anionic MT and the enzyme's amino acid composition determined. A cDNA library has been constructed from mRNA isolated from Aspergillus parasiticus mycelia during the onset of AFB1 biosynthesis for the purpose of identifying the genes responsible for aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Chromatographic methods as tools in the field of mycotoxins

Achievements in the applications of chromatographic techniques in mycotoxicology are reviewed. Historically, column chromatography (CC) and paper chromatography (PC) were applied first, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Although PC techniques are no longer used in the analysis of mycotoxins, selected applications of PC are included to underline historical continuity. The most important achievements published from 1980 onwards are described. They include clean-up methods, TLC, CC, HPLC and GC of mycotoxins in environmental samples, foods, feeds, body fluids and in studies on biosynthesis and biotransformations of mycotoxins. Advantages and disadvantages of chromatographic techniques used in mycotoxicology are also evaluated.

Purification and characterization of a methyltransferase from Aspergillus parasiticus SRRC 163 involved in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway

A five step scheme has been developed for the purification of a methyltransferase (MT) from mycelia of 3-day old Aspergillus parasiticus (SRRC 163), which catalyzes one step in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. The S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) requiring MT activity is essential for the conversion of sterigmatocystin (ST) to O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) prior to being converted to aflatoxin B1. The purification of the MT was carried out from cell-free extracts by CDR (Cell Debris Remover, a cellulosic weak anion exchanger, Whatman) treatment, QMA ACELL, Hydroxylapatite-Ultrogel, PBE 94 chromatofocusing and FractoGel TSK HW-50F filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme was only about 0.1% of the total extractable proteins. The pI of the protein was about 5.0 as judged by chromatofocusing. Results of gel filtration chromatography indicated the approximate molecular mass of the native protein to be 160-KDa. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two protein subunit bands of molecular masses approximately 110-KDa and 58-KDa. The molar extinction coefficient of the enzyme at 280 nm was estimated to be 7.87 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1 in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5). The reaction catalyzed by the MT was optimum at pH 7.5 and between 25-35 degrees C. The Km of the enzyme for ST and SAM was determined to be 1.8 microM and 42 microM, respectively with an estimated turnover number of the enzyme for ST of 2.2 X 10(-2) per sec.

Biosynthetic relationship among aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2

Aspergillus parasiticus NIAH-26, a UV-irradiated mutant of A. parasiticus SYS-4 (NRRL 2999), produces neither aflatoxins nor precursors. When sterigmatocystin (ST) or O-methylsterigmatocystin was fed to this mutant in YES medium, aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and G1 (AFG1) were produced. When dihydrosterigmatocystin (DHST) or dihydro-O-methylsterigmatocystin was fed to this mold, aflatoxins B2 (AFB2) and G2 (AFG2) were produced. The reactions from ST to AFB1 and DHST to AFB2 were also observed in the cell-free system and were catalyzed stepwise by the methyltransferase and oxidoreductase enzymes. In the feeding experiments of strain NIAH-26, the convertibility from ST to AFB1-AFG1 was found to be remarkably suppressed by the coexistence of DHST in the medium, and the convertibility from DHST to AFB2-AFG2 was also suppressed by the presence of ST. When some other mutants which endogenously produce a small amount of aflatoxins (mainly AFB1 and AFG1) were cultured with DHST, the amounts of AFB1 and AFG1 produced were significantly decreased, whereas AFB2 and AFG2 were newly produced. In similar feeding experiments in which 27 kinds of mutants including these mutants were used, most of the mutants which were able to convert exogenous ST to AFB1-AFG1 were also found to convert exogenous DHST to AFB2-AFG2. These results suggest that the same enzymes may be involved in the both biosynthetic pathways from ST to AFB1-AFG1 and DHST to AFB2-AFG2. The reactions described herein were not observed when the molds had been cultured in the YEP medium.

Fate of the methyl group during the conversion of sterigmatocystin into O-methylsterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B1 by cell-free preparations of Aspergillus parasiticus

Cell-free extracts of fungal mycelia of two aflatoxin non-producing isolates of Aspergillus parasiticus (SRRC 163 and SRRC 2043) were utilized for the study of enzyme activities involved in the latter stages of aflatoxin biosynthesis. The post-microsomal fractions (105,000 x g supernatant) of both SRRC 163 and SRRC 2043 were able to convert sterigmatocystin (ST) into O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST); whereas the microsomal (105,000 x g pellet) preparation of only SRRC 163 was able to convert OMST into aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) was the primary substrate for the ST to OMST (methyltransferase) enzymatic conversion; [3H]OMST of specific activity 0.93 Ci/mmol was obtained in a reaction containing the [3H]SAM substrate (specific activity 1 Ci/mmol). After the terminal enzymatic conversion of OMST into AFB1, none of the radiolabel of the methyl group from OMST was found in AFB1. It is postulated that the methylation of ST may be required for subsequent enzymatic oxidation of OMST to aflatoxin B1.

Conversion of a new metabolite to aflatoxin B2 by Aspergillus parasiticus

A new metabolite which could be converted to aflatoxin (AF) B2 was detected during cofermentation analysis of two nonaflatoxigenic strains (SRRC 2043 and SRRC 163) of Aspergillus parasiticus. SRRC 2043, which accumulates the xanthone O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST), a late precursor in the AFB1 pathway, was observed to accumulate another chemically related compound (HOMST; molecular weight, 356); SRRC 163 is blocked early in the pathway and accumulates averantin. During cofermentation of the two strains, levels of OMST and HOMST were observed to be greatly reduced in the culture, with simultaneous production of AFB1, AFB2, and AFG1. Intact cells of SRRC 163 were able to convert pure OMST or its precursor, sterigmatocystin, to AFB1 and AFG1 without AFB2 accumulation; the same cells converted isolated HOMST to AFB2 with no AFB1 or AFG1 production. The results indicate that AFB2 is produced from a separate branch in the AF biosynthetic pathway than are AFB1 and AFG1; AFB2 arises from HOMST, and AFB1 and AFG1 arise from sterigmatocystin and OMST.