Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #74987
Title: CHARACTERIZATION OF A CYTOCHROME P450 IN FUNGAL TOXIN BIOSYNTHESIS

Author
item Alexander, Nancy
item Hohn, Thomas
item McCormick, Susan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium sporotrichioides, a filamentous fungus, produces T-2 toxin when growing on agricultural products. This trichothecene toxin acts by inhibiting protein synthesis and is highly cytotoxic to many eukaryotes. Oxygenation steps in trichothecene biosynthesis are of particular interest since the degree of oxygenation greatly alters trichothecene bioactivity. We have identified a gene in this pathway, Tri11, which codes for a 550 amino acid protein which is involved in a C-15 hydroxylation step of the compound isotrichodermin, to form 15- decalonectrin. The amino acid sequence contains several regions of homology to other P450s and retains the consensus sequence of the heme- binding region common to all identified P450s. This identification and characterization will help in the goal of controlling the production of T-2 toxin by this fungus.