A genetic and biochemical approach to study trichothecene diversity in Fusarium sporotrichioides and Fusarium graminearum

The trichothecenes T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) are natural fungal products that are toxic to both animals and plants. Their importance in the pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. on crop plants has inspired efforts to understand the genetic and biochemical mechanisms leading to trichothecene synthesis. In order to better understand T-2 toxin biosynthesis by Fusarium sporotrichioides and DON biosynthesis by F. graminearum, we compared the nucleotide sequence of the 23-kb core trichothecene gene cluster from each organism. This comparative genetic analysis allowed us to predict proteins encoded by two trichothecene genes, TRI9 and TRI10, that had not previously been described from either Fusarium species. Differences in gene structure also were correlated with differences in the types of trichothecenes that the two species produce. Gene disruption experiments showed that F. sporotrichioides TRI7 (FsTRI7) is required for acetylation of the oxygen on C-4 of T-2 toxin. Sequence analysis indicated that F. graminearum TRI7 (FgTRI7) is nonfunctional. This is consistent with the fact that the FgTRI7 product is not required for DON synthesis in F. graminearum because C-4 is not oxygenated.     

Disruption of TRI101, the gene encoding trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase, from Fusarium sporotrichioides

We screened a Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 cDNA expression library in a toxin-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking a functional PDR5 gene. Fourteen yeast transformants were identified as resistant to the trichothecene 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, and each carried a cDNA encoding the trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase that is the F. sporotrichioides homolog of the Fusarium graminearum TRI101 gene. Mutants of F. sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 produced by disruption of TRI101 were altered in their abilities to synthesize T-2 toxin and accumulated isotrichodermol and small amounts of 3, 15-didecalonectrin and 3-decalonectrin, trichothecenes that are not observed in cultures of the parent strain. Our results indicate that TRI101 converts isotrichodermol to isotrichodermin and is required for the biosynthesis of T-2 toxin.     

小麦赤霉病镰孢菌毒素的生物合成及其分子调控

禾谷镰刀菌是小麦赤霉病的主要致病菌,其真菌次生代谢产生的单端孢霉烯类B型毒素,如雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(nivalenol,NIV)、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(deoxynivalenol,DON)和其它乙酰化衍生物等污染小麦籽粒后对人畜健康构成威胁。综述了近年来国内外对小麦赤霉病镰孢菌单端孢霉烯类B型毒素生物合成的主要途径及分子调控研究进展,对毒素合成过程中的重要调控基因如TRI5、TRI7和TRI13在农业中的应用进行了阐述。     

Fusarium Tri4 encodes a multifunctional oxygenase required for trichothecene biosynthesis

Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium sporotrichioides produce the trichothecene mycotoxins 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin, respectively. In both species, disruption of the P450 monooxygenase-encoding gene, Tri4, blocks production of the mycotoxins and leads to the accumulation of the trichothecene precursor trichodiene. To further characterize its function, the F. graminearum Tri4 (FgTri4) was heterologously expressed in the trichothecene-nonproducing species Fusarium verticillioides. Transgenic F. verticillioides carrying the FgTri4 converted exogenous trichodiene to the trichothecene biosynthetic intermediates isotrichodermin and trichothecene. Conversion of trichodiene to isotrichodermin requires seven biochemical steps. The fifth and sixth steps can occur nonenzymatically. Precursor feeding studies done in the current study indicate that wild-type F. verticillioides has the enzymatic activity necessary to carry out the seventh step, the C-3 acetylation of isotrichodermol to form isotrichodermin. Together, the results of this study indicate that the Tri4 protein catalyzes the remaining four steps and is therefore a multifunctional monooxygenase required for trichothecene biosynthesis.     

Tri13 and Tri7 determine deoxynivalenol- and nivalenol-producing chemotypes of Gibberella zeae

Gibberella zeae, a major cause of cereal scab, can be divided into two chemotypes based on production of the 8-ketotrichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). We cloned and sequenced a Tri13 homolog from each chemotype. The Tri13 from a NIV chemotype strain (88-1) is located in the trichothecene gene cluster and carries an open reading frame similar to that of Fusarium sporotrichioides, whereas the Tri13 from a DON chemotype strain (H-11) carries several mutations. To confirm the roles of the Tri13 and Tri7 genes in trichothecene production by G. zeae, we genetically altered toxin production in 88-1 and H-11. In transgenic strains, the targeted deletion of Tri13 from the genome of 88-1 caused production of DON rather than NIV. Heterologous expression of the 88-1 Tri13 gene alone or in combination with the 88-1 Tri7 gene conferred on H-11 the ability to synthesize NIV; in the latter case, 4-acetylnivalenol (4-ANIV) also was produced. These results suggest that Tri13 and Tri7 are required for oxygenation and acetylation of the oxygen at C-4 during synthesis of NIV and 4-ANIV in G. zeae. These functional analyses of the Tri13 and Tri7 genes provide the first clear evidence for the genetic basis of the DON and NIV chemotypes in G. zeae.     

Fusarium Tri8 encodes a trichothecene C-3 esterase

Mutant strains of Fusarium graminearum Z3639 produced by disruption of Tri8 were altered in their ability to biosynthesize 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and instead accumulated 3,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol, 7,8-dihydroxycalonectrin, and calonectrin. Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL3299 Tri8 mutant strains accumulated 3-acetyl T-2 toxin, 3-acetyl neosolaniol, and 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol rather than T-2 toxin, neosolaniol, and 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol. The accumulation of these C-3-acetylated compounds suggests that Tri8 encodes an esterase responsible for deacetylation at C-3. This gene function was confirmed by cell-free enzyme assays and feeding experiments with yeast expressing Tri8. Previous studies have shown that Tri101 encodes a C-3 transacetylase that acts as a self-protection or resistance factor during biosynthesis and that the presence of a free C-3 hydroxyl group is a key component of Fusarium trichothecene phytotoxicity. Since Tri8 encodes the esterase that removes the C-3 protecting group, it may be considered a toxicity factor.     

Bioprospecting for trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferases in the fungal genus Fusarium yields functional enzymes with different abilities to modify the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol

The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common contaminant of small grains, such as wheat and barley, in the United States. New strategies to mitigate the threat of DON need to be developed and implemented. TRI101 and TRI201 are trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferases that are able to modify DON and reduce its toxicity. Recent work has highlighted differences in the activities of TRI101 from two different species of Fusarium (F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides), but little is known about the relative activities of TRI101/TRI201 enzymes produced by other species of Fusarium. We cloned TRI101 or TRI201 genes from seven different species of Fusarium and found genetic identity between sequences ranging from 66% to 98%. In vitro feeding studies using transformed yeast showed that all of the TRI101/TRI201 enzymes tested were able to acetylate DON; conversion of DON to 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3ADON) ranged from 50.5% to 100.0%, depending on the Fusarium species from which the gene originated. A time course assay showed that the rate of acetylation varied from species to species, with the gene from F. sporotrichioides having the lowest rate. Steady-state kinetic assays using seven purified enzymes produced catalytic efficiencies for DON acetylation ranging from 6.8 × 10(4) M(-1)·s(-1) to 4.7 × 10(6) M(-1)·s(-1). Thermostability measurements for the seven orthologs ranged from 37.1°C to 43.2°C. Extended sequence analysis of portions of TRI101/TRI201 from 31 species of Fusarium (including known trichothecene producers and nonproducers) suggested that other members of the genus may contain functional TRI101/TRI201 genes, some with the potential to outperform those evaluated in the present study.     

The trichothecene biosynthesis gene cluster of Fusarium graminearum F15 contains a limited number of essential pathway genes and expressed non-essential genes

We report for the first time the complete structure and sequence of the trichothecene biosynthesis gene cluster (i.e. Tri5-cluster) from Fusarium graminearum F15, a strain that produces 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON). A putative tyrosinase and polysaccharide deacetylase gene flank the Tri5-cluster: the number of pathway genes between them is less than half the total number of steps necessary for 3-ADON biosynthesis. In comparison with partial Tri5-cluster sequences of strains with 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 4-acetylnivalenol chemotypes, the Tri5-cluster from strain F15 contains three genes that are apparently unnecessary for the biosynthesis of 3-ADON (i.e. Tri8 and Tri3, which are expressed, and pseudo-Tri13, which is not expressed). In addition, the Tri7 gene was missing from the cluster. Recombinant TRI3 protein showed limited trichothecene C-15 acetylase activity. In contrast, recombinant TRI8 protein displayed no C-3 deacetylase activity, suggesting that the loss or alteration of function contribute directly to the chemotype difference.     

Bioconversion of possible T-2 toxin precursors by a mutant strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299.

Liquid cultures of a mutant strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 that accumulates trichodiene rather than T-2 toxin converted tricho-9-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,11 alpha-triol, trichotriol (tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,9 alpha-triol), tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,9 beta-triol, 3 alpha-hydroxytrichothecene, and 3 alpha-acetoxytrichothecene to T-2 toxin. Other possible oxygenated precursors of T-2 toxin, including trichodiol (tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,9 alpha-diol), trichothecene, 4 alpha-hydroxytrichothecene, and 15-hydroxytrichothecene, were not metabolized. The results indicate that in the biosynthesis of T-2 toxin by F. sporotrichioides, (i) oxygenation at C-3 occurs prior to the second cyclization, (ii) this second cyclization involves two steps that may be nonenzymatic, and (iii) oxidation at C-3 precedes that at C-4 or C-15.     

Bioconversion of possible T-2 toxin precursors by a mutant strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299

Liquid cultures of a mutant strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 that accumulates trichodiene rather than T-2 toxin converted tricho-9-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,11 alpha-triol, trichotriol (tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,9 alpha-triol), tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,3 alpha,9 beta-triol, 3 alpha-hydroxytrichothecene, and 3 alpha-acetoxytrichothecene to T-2 toxin. Other possible oxygenated precursors of T-2 toxin, including trichodiol (tricho-10-ene-2 alpha,9 alpha-diol), trichothecene, 4 alpha-hydroxytrichothecene, and 15-hydroxytrichothecene, were not metabolized. The results indicate that in the biosynthesis of T-2 toxin by F. sporotrichioides, (i) oxygenation at C-3 occurs prior to the second cyclization, (ii) this second cyclization involves two steps that may be nonenzymatic, and (iii) oxidation at C-3 precedes that at C-4 or C-15.     

A simple method with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of the six trichothecene mycotoxins in rice medium

A selective and speedy LC-MS/MS method was developed to determine six trichothecene mycotoxins (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon X, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin) in rice medium where Fusarium graminearum were cultivated for in vitro tests. The analytes were extracted from the rice medium with acetonitrile/water (85/15, v/v), and diluted with acetonitrile/water (5/95, v/v) in order to minimize the effects of matrices. Diluted solutions were analyzed by LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization (ESI) interface in negative or positive ion mode and the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Recovery rates were 76-106% with a spiked level at 1-6 microg/kg of mycotoxins that corresponded to the limit of quantitation. The method was applied to study the time courses of trichothecene production and the biomass of fungi by three Fusarium graminearum strains. Three strains have different mycotoxin biosynthesis pathways, wFg14 and 03E-1 were DON producer, and 03N-1 was NIV producer.     

Mycological survey of Korean cereals and production of mycotoxins by Fusarium isolates

The fungal species isolated from Korean cereals (barley, polished barley, wheat, rye, and malt) were Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Chaetomium spp., Drechslera spp., Epicoccum sp., Fusarium spp., and Penicillium spp., etc. The number of Fusarium strains isolated was 36, and their ability to produce Fusarium mycotoxins on rice was tested. Nivalenol (NIV) was produced by Fusarium graminearum (7 of 9 isolates), Fusarium oxysporum (3 of 10 isolates), and Fusarium spp. (7 of 15 isolates). Of 15 isolates of Fusarium spp., 6 formed deoxynivalenol (DON). Fusarenon-X and 3-acetyl-DON were produced by most NIV- and DON-forming isolates, respectively. Zearalenone was produced by 3 isolates of F. graminearum, 1 isolate of Fusarium equiseti, and 11 isolates of Fusarium spp. T-2 toxin was not produced by any Fusarium isolates. The highest concentrations of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium isolates were 77.4 (NIV), 5.3 (DON), 138.3 (fusarenon-X), 40.6 (3-acetyl-DON), and 23.2 (zearalenone) micrograms/g.     

Disruption of TRI101, the Gene Encoding Trichothecene 3-O-Acetyltransferase, from Fusarium sporotrichioides

We screened a Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 cDNA expression library in a toxin-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking a functional PDR5 gene. Fourteen yeast transformants were identified as resistant to the trichothecene 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, and each carried a cDNA encoding the trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase that is the F. sporotrichioides homolog of the Fusarium graminearum TRI101 gene. Mutants of F. sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 produced by disruption of TRI101 were altered in their abilities to synthesize T-2 toxin and accumulated isotrichodermol and small amounts of 3,15-didecalonectrin and 3-decalonectrin, trichothecenes that are not observed in cultures of the parent strain. Our results indicate that TRI101 converts isotrichodermol to isotrichodermin and is required for the biosynthesis of T-2 toxin.     

Mycological survey of Korean cereals and production of mycotoxins by Fusarium isolates.

The fungal species isolated from Korean cereals (barley, polished barley, wheat, rye, and malt) were Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Chaetomium spp., Drechslera spp., Epicoccum sp., Fusarium spp., and Penicillium spp., etc. The number of Fusarium strains isolated was 36, and their ability to produce Fusarium mycotoxins on rice was tested. Nivalenol (NIV) was produced by Fusarium graminearum (7 of 9 isolates), Fusarium oxysporum (3 of 10 isolates), and Fusarium spp. (7 of 15 isolates). Of 15 isolates of Fusarium spp., 6 formed deoxynivalenol (DON). Fusarenon-X and 3-acetyl-DON were produced by most NIV- and DON-forming isolates, respectively. Zearalenone was produced by 3 isolates of F. graminearum, 1 isolate of Fusarium equiseti, and 11 isolates of Fusarium spp. T-2 toxin was not produced by any Fusarium isolates. The highest concentrations of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium isolates were 77.4 (NIV), 5.3 (DON), 138.3 (fusarenon-X), 40.6 (3-acetyl-DON), and 23.2 (zearalenone) micrograms/g.     

Ancymidol blocks trichothecene biosynthesis and leads to accumulation of trichodiene in Fusarium sporotrichioides and Gibberella pulicaris

Ancymidol, a plant growth regulator, inhibited biosynthesis of diacetoxyscirpenol by Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum) in a defined liquid medium. Ancymidol also inhibited biosynthesis of T-2 toxin by a wild-type strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides and biosynthesis of diacetoxyscirpenol, deacetylated calonectrin, and dideacetylated calonectrin by mutant strains of this species. Ancymidol-treated cultures accumulated the hydrocarbon trichodiene, a biosynthetic precursor of the trichothecenes. Ancymidol did not block trichodiene accumulation by a trichodiene-producing mutant strain of F. sporotrichioides. Ancymidol appears to block the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway after formation of trichodiene and before formation of trichothecenes containing four or more oxygen atoms.     

Ancymidol blocks trichothecene biosynthesis and leads to accumulation of trichodiene in Fusarium sporotrichioides and Gibberella pulicaris.

Ancymidol, a plant growth regulator, inhibited biosynthesis of diacetoxyscirpenol by Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum) in a defined liquid medium. Ancymidol also inhibited biosynthesis of T-2 toxin by a wild-type strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides and biosynthesis of diacetoxyscirpenol, deacetylated calonectrin, and dideacetylated calonectrin by mutant strains of this species. Ancymidol-treated cultures accumulated the hydrocarbon trichodiene, a biosynthetic precursor of the trichothecenes. Ancymidol did not block trichodiene accumulation by a trichodiene-producing mutant strain of F. sporotrichioides. Ancymidol appears to block the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway after formation of trichodiene and before formation of trichothecenes containing four or more oxygen atoms.     

Trichothecenes and Mycoflora in Wheat Harvested in Nine Locations in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

A total of 120 freshly harvested wheat samples from the 2004 season in nine locations from Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were analysed for trichothecene natural occurrence and associated mycoflora, and for determining the influence of commonly used fungicide field treatment and the cultivar type on trichothecene contamination. The trichothecenes T-2 tetraol, T-2 triol, HT-2 and T-2 toxin (HT-2, T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) were analysed by gas chromatography and electron capture detection. Detection limits ranged from 4 to 20 μg/kg. The isolation frequencies of species were calculated. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium poae and Fusarium semitectum were the predominant fungal species identified as endogenous mycoflora. The type of cultivar and the fungicide field treatment did not affect significantly the trichothecene contamination. The trichothecenes type A detected were HT-2 and T-2 triol toxins and the type B were DON, NIV and 3-ADON. Based on 120 samples the incidences were 21.7% for 3-ADON, 22.5% for HT-2, 27.5% for T-2 triol and 85% for DON. NIV was confirmed in one sample. Mean levels of trichothecene positive samples were between 7 and 2788 μg/kg.     

PCR Analysis of the Tri13 gene to Determine the Genetic Potential of Fusarium graminearum Isolates from Iran to Produce Nivalenol and Deoxynivalenol

Fusarium graminearum trichothecene producing isolates can be broadly divided into two chemotypes based on the production of the 8- ketotrichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). Functional Tri13 gene required for the production of NIV and 4- acetyl NIV, whereas in the isolates producing DON and its acetylated derivates, this gene is nonfunctional. In this study, a total of 57 isolates from different fields of Mazandaran province, Iran were identified as F. graminearum using classical methods and species specific primers. In order to assess the potential of isolates to produce NIV or DON, we used PCR to determine whether isolates carried a functional or nonfunctional Tri13 gene. Out of the 57 tested F. graminearum isolates with Tri13 PCR assays, 46 yielded an amplicon similar to the size predicted for nivalenol production, while 11 yielded an amplicon similar to the size predicted for deoxynivalenol production. From regions where more than one F. graminearum isolate was obtained, isolates were not exclusively of a single chemotype. It seems that genetic diversity among the isolates has relation with geographical region and wheat cultivar. The assay can provide information about the distribution of Tri13 haplotype that can be used in tracing of trichothecene contaminated samples.