Author
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Alexander, Nancy |
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Hohn, Thomas |
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McCormick, Susan |
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Submitted to: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The mold Fusarium is a common contaminant of grain and other livestock feeds. Several species of Fusarium produce trichothecene toxins which cause adverse effects on human and animal health. We identified a gene in Fusarium sporotrichioides that controls one step in the pathway of trichothecene toxins. This gene is closely linked to other genes that control the production of these toxins. This knowledge will be useful in the development of new strategies for controlling the contamination of food and feed products. Technical Abstract: Several genes in the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway of Fusarium sporotrichioides have been shown to reside in a gene cluster. Sequence analysis of a cloned DNA fragment located 3.8 Kb upstream from Tri5 has led to the identification of the Tri11 gene. The nucleotide sequence of Tri11 predicts a polypeptide of 489 residues (Mr = 54,100) with significant similarity to members of the cytochrome P450 super family. Tri11 is most similar to several fungal P450s (30 to 35% identity) but is sufficiently distinct to define a new cytochrome P450 gene family designated CYPXX. Disruption of Tri11 results in an altered trichothecene production phenotype characterized by the accumulation of isotrichodermin, a trichothecene pathway intermediate. The evidence suggests that Tri11 encodes a C-15 hydroxylase involved in trichothecene biosynthesis. |
