Introduction of the AAL-toxin polyketide synthase gene ALT1 into FUM1-disrupted Fusarium verticillioides produces metabolites with the fumonisin methylation pattern

J Nat Prod. 2009 Jul;72(7):1328-30. doi: 10.1021/np900193j.

Abstract

Fumonisins and AAL toxins are polyketide-derived mycotoxins produced by several important fungal pathogens of crop plants. The toxins contain a linear, dimethylated polyketide chain, but differ in chain length and methylation positions. Here, we have isolated the major metabolites from a fumonisin null mutant, Fusarium verticillioides strain 5777, that has been transformed with the AAL-toxin polyketide synthase gene (ALT1). The results showed that the metabolites maintained the chain length and methylation pattern of fumonisins. This suggests that the timing and regioselectivity of the methyltransferase of the ALT1 PKS could be reprogrammed in this Fusarium transformant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Fumonisins / chemistry*
  • Fusarium / genetics*
  • Fusarium / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mycotoxins / chemistry*
  • Mycotoxins / genetics
  • Mycotoxins / isolation & purification
  • Polyketide Synthases / genetics
  • Polyketide Synthases / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Fumonisins
  • Mycotoxins
  • Polyketide Synthases
  • Methyltransferases