Genome Mining for Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

Genome Mining for Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

Occurrence of aflatoxins in crops has vast impacts on human health. Therefore, the study of aflatoxin biosynthesis has become important. Previous studies have shown that the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene cluster and several genes, enzymes, and regulatory elements are involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis; however, the intricate metabolic regulatory networks of aflatoxin synthesis remain unclear. Rap...

Aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Aflatoxins are toxic and extremely carcinogenic natural secondary metabolites produced primarily by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The biosynthesis of aflatoxins is a complex process involving multi-enzymatic reactions. Genetic studies of the molecular mechanism of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis have identified an aflatoxin pathway gene cluster of 70 kilobase pairs in leng...

Enzymes and aflatoxin biosynthesis.

The enzymology of secondary metabolism has not received the same attention as that for primary (general) metabolism. There are traditional and other reasons for this bias, some of which will become apparent in this review. With the advent of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology (genetic engineering), it seems inevitable that this state of affairs should change. Many secondary metabolite...

A Regulatory Locus for Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

Inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis by phenolic compounds.

The phenolic compounds acetosyringone, syringaldehyde and sinapinic acid inhibited the biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by A. flavus. Acetosyringone was the most active among the three compounds, inhibiting aflatoxin level by 82% at 2 m moll-1. The synthesis and accumulation of norsolorinic acid, an aflatoxin biosynthetic intermediate, was also inhibited. These results suggest that at least ...