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Review

Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation, Mechanisms, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Evolution in Fusarium Species—A Mini Review

by
Jianhua Wang
1,*,
Mengyuan Zhang
1,2,
Junhua Yang
1,
Xianli Yang
1,
Jiahui Zhang
1 and
Zhihui Zhao
1
1
Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai 201403, China
2
College of Food Sciences & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxins 2023, 15(7), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070446
Submission received: 7 June 2023 / Revised: 1 July 2023 / Accepted: 3 July 2023 / Published: 5 July 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins and Fungal Toxins: Current Status and Future Perspectives)
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Abstract

:
Trichothecenes are the most common Fusarium toxins detected in grains and related products. Type A trichothecenes are among the mycotoxins of greatest concern to food and feed safety due to their high toxicity. Recently, two different trichothecene genotypes within Fusarium species were reported. The available information showed that Tri1 and Tri16 genes are the key determinants of the trichothecene profiles of T-2 and DAS genotypes. In this review, polymorphisms in the Tri1 and Tri16 genes in the two genotypes were investigated. Meanwhile, the functions of genes involved in DAS and NEO biosynthesis are discussed. The possible biosynthetic pathways of DAS and NEO are proposed in this review, which will facilitate the understanding of the synthesis process of trichothecenes in Fusarium strains and may also inspire researchers to design and conduct further research. Together, the review provides insight into trichothecene profile differentiation and Tri gene evolutionary processes responsible for the structural diversification of trichothecene produced by Fusarium.
Keywords:
mycotoxin; DAS; NEO; T-2; trichothecenes; Fusarium species
Key Contribution: Polymorphisms in the Tri1 and Tri16 genes in T-2 and DAS genotypes were studied, and probable DAS and NEO biosynthetic pathways are proposed in this review.

1. Introduction

Filamentous fungi within the Fusarium genus are the most important etiological agents of a variety of plant diseases worldwide, resulting in huge economic losses annually. Additionally, mycotoxins produced by these pathogens are also of concern due to their wide range of toxicological effects [1,2,3,4]. Among these toxic secondary metabolites, trichothecenes are the most commonly detected Fusarium mycotoxins, with relatively high contents compared with other ones [1,2,3,4]. Trichothecene is a large family of non-volatile sesquiterpenes that are classified into four different groups (type A, B, C, and D) according to structural variations [5,6]. To date, more than 200 trichothecenes have been identified in nature, which represent a major threat to food and feed safety [7].
Fusarium trichothecenes are divided into two major types characterized by the absence (type A trichothecenes) or presence (type B trichothecenes) of a keto group at carbon atom 8 (C-8). Type A trichothecenes contain an ester function (e.g., T-2 toxin), a hydroxyl group (e.g., neosolaniol, NEO) at C-8 of the skeleton 12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene (EPT) molecule, or no substituent at all at C-8 (e.g., 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, DAS) [5,6,7] (Figure 1). As illustrated in Figure 1, type B trichothecenes, such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives, possess a keto group at C-8 [5]. Trichothecenes have been shown to be potent inhibitors of nucleotides and protein synthesis and can affect mitochondrial function, induce immunosuppression, etc., in eukaryotic organisms [8,9]. Trichothecenes can also act as virulence factors in plants, which will facilitate the colonization and spreading of the pathogens in host tissues [10,11,12]. The Fusarium trichothecenes of greatest concern are type A trichothecenes, with their high toxicity.
This review seeks to outline recent findings on type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium species, the Tri gene’s genetic diversity, and evolution. In addition, current gaps, advances, and potential topics for future studies on Fusarium and trichothecenes are also mentioned.

2. Metabolic Profile Differentiation in Type-A-Trichothecene-Producing Fusarium

It is well known that comprehensive research on the differentiation of type B trichothecenes has been conducted in the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC), with the most important Fusarium species causing fusarium head blight in wheat around the world. In the FGSC, three different trichothecene genotypes (chemotypes) were distinguished according to their production of NIV (nivalenol), 3ADON (3-acetyldeoxynivalenol), or 15ADON (15-acetyldeoxynivalenol) [13,14]. FGSC species and trichothecene genotype diversity have been biogeographically structured worldwide. The statement suggests that the diversity of Fusarium species and trichothecene genotypes is not randomly distributed but instead follows geographic patterns [15,16,17]. This can have important implications for understanding the evolution and ecology of these organisms as well as for developing strategies for managing plant diseases caused by Fusarium species. Additionally, understanding the differences between different types of these mycotoxins is important for assessing their potential impact on human and animal health as well as for developing effective control and prevention strategies for reducing their occurrence in food and other agricultural products.
Several Fusarium species, such as Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium poae, Fusarium kyushuense, and Fusarium langsethiae, are well-known type A trichothecene producers. Among these fungi, different mycotoxin productivities were also observed. For example, F. sporotrichioides was reported to consistently produce T-2, HT-2, DAS, and NEO and has been recognized as the main source for T-2 and HT-2 [7,18,19]. The production of mycotoxins by 109 strains of F. langsethiae (23 strains), F. poae (49 strains), F. sporotrichioides (35 strains), and F. kyushuense (2 strains) was investigated independently in different laboratories [20]. From the compiled results, it was found that F. langsethiae and F. sporotrichioides consistently produced type A trichothecene (T-2, HT-2, and NEO). However, a different profile was observed in the 49 F. poae strains, and 41 of them produced type B trichothecenes (NIV and 4ANIV) in addition to type A trichothecenes (DAS). For the two F. kyushuense strains, no type A trichothecenes were detected from either of the strains [20]. However, among the mycotoxins produced by F. poae, NIV, a type B trichothecene, was cited as one of the most common mycotoxins produced by this species in the studies by [21,22,23,24]. Fusarium armeniacum was also reported to produce type A trichothecenes, such as T-2, DAS, and NEO [25].
In the past decade, several novel Fusarium species that produce type A trichothecenes have been reported, such as Fusarium sibiricum [26], Fusarium palustre [27], and Fusarium goolgardi [28,29]. F. sibiricum was mainly recovered in Siberia and the Russian Far East and formally described by Yli-Mattila et al. [26] in 2011. F. sibiricum is phylogenetically more closely related to F. sporotrichioides but is morphologically more similar to F. poae and F. langsethiae [26]. Analysis of trichothecene production revealed that all the tested F. sibiricum isolates could produce type A trichothecene T-2 as well as DAS with mean concentrations of 17.4 ppm and 0.2 ppm, respectively [26]. F. palustre is a new Fusarium species associated with the dieback of Spartina alterniflora in Atlantic salt marshes [27]. Subsequently, Rocha et al. [29] proved that strains from F. palustre can produce type A trichothecenes, including DAS, NEO, and T-2 toxin.
Despite the discovery of various metabolic profiles in type-A-trichothecene-producing species, no particular genotypes were outlined. The identification of two distinct genotypes within type A trichothecene producers was found in F. goolgardi [29]. F. goolgardi is an emerging species identified by Laurence et al. [28] from Xanthorrhoea glauca in natural ecosystems in Australia. Chemical analysis revealed the production of type A trichothecenes in F. goolgardi cultures [29]. Among the eight F. goolgardi strains evaluated, four of them (RBG5411, 5417, 5419, and 5420) produced T-2 toxin, DAS, NEO, and 8-acetylneosolaniol (hereinafter referred to as T-2 genotype in this work), while the other four strains (RBG6914, 6915, 5421, and 5422) produced only DAS (hereinafter referred to as DAS genotype in this work) [29]. So, the study by Rocha et al. [29] indicated that there were at least two distinct trichothecene genotypes in F. goolgardi populations. It is worth noting that a novel group of type A trichothecenes (NX toxins) produced by FGSC was identified by Varga et al. [30] in 2015. In this review, we will not delve into details about FGSC. To our best knowledge, only a single genotype has been reported for F. langsethiae, F. sibiricum, and F. sporotrichioides, and strains from these species can produce T-2 and some other type A trichothecenes, such as DAS and NEO.
According to the present data, in general, type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium species may be indigenous and possibly endemic to their origin at a low frequency. If these strains become more abundant or are spread and exchanged widely through transportation and trade, type A trichothecenes could become a common contaminant in cereals and related products. For example, a high prevalence has been found for F. langsethiae on oats; however, it is now spreading even to barley cultivated in Mediterranean environments [31]. So, it will be important to monitor whether Fusarium species, such as F. goolgardi, have a selective advantage in specific ecosystems. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the occurrence of type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium species in different geographic locations in the world suggests their wide distribution in nature. Novel type-A-trichothecene-producing species may be identified in further studies with more extensive collections in the future.

3. Tri1 and Tri16 Genes Are the Key Determinants of Trichothecene Profiles

The biosynthetic pathway and molecular regulation mechanism of trichothecenes are now relatively clear, and many studies have been conducted since the 1990s. Up until now, 15 trichothecene biosynthesis genes (Tri genes) have been identified and characterized in the Fusarium genome (Table 1). Molecular genetics revealed that these Tri genes occur at three loci. The 12-gene core locus on chromosome 2 is located within a 25 kb region as a cluster response for the synthesis of the EPT skeleton molecule and subsequent modifications at C-3, C-4, and C-15. The Tri1–Tri16 locus on chromosome 1 is essential for the hydroxylation and acylation of C-8, respectively. The single-gene locus on chromosome 4, Tri101, is responsible for acetylation of the hydroxyl group at C-3, converting isotrichodermol to isotrichodermin. This step has been proven to serve as a mechanism for the self-protection of the trichothecene-producing organism [32], which can significantly reduce the toxicity of trichothecenes.
In trichothecene-producing Fusarium species, the Tri1–Tri16 locus determines type A versus type B trichothecene production. In T-2 producers, Tri1 and Tri16 are responsible for the specific hydroxylation and acylation, respectively, at the C-8 position [33,34,35]. However, in type B trichothecene producers, the enzyme encoded by the Tri1 gene catalyzes the hydroxylation of trichothecenes at both C-7 and C-8, but the Tri16 gene is non-functional due to the presence of frameshifts and stop codons in its coding region [36]. Meanwhile, a non-functional Tri16 in type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium strains should prevent the acylation of the hydroxyl of trichothecene intermediates at the C-8 position, and a non-functional Tri1 gene should equally prevent hydroxylation of the C-8 and, of course, prevent the later acylation reaction catalyzed by the Tri16 enzyme.
Sequence analysis of the Tri1–Tri16 locus in four F. sibiricum, seven F. langsethiae, and six F. sporotrichioides revealed that the orientation and order of the two genes were the same as previously characterized for F. sporotrichioides, although the length of the Tri1–Tri16 intergenic region varied among and within species [26]. According to the phylogenetic analysis of the Tri1 and Tri16 gene coding sequences, the two genes in F. sibiricum strains are more closely related to those of F. sporotrichioides. In F. sibiricum, the Tri1–Tri16 locus is more similar in organization and sequence to those of F. langsethiae and F. sporotrichioides than to that in the species of F. poae [26].
Recently, two different trichothecene metabolic profiles were identified in F. goolgardi strains. To reveal the reason why this phenomenon exists, the nucleotide sequences of different Tri genes from several type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium species were analyzed and compared with the two F. goolgardi groups. The results showed that no major differences were observed in the coding regions of the core cluster genes (including Tri3–Tri8, Tri11, Tri13, and Tri101) among these strains [29]. However, significant differences were identified in the Tri1 and Tri16 sequences. As shown in Figure 2, there is a transition (C-to-T) in the coding region of the Tri1 gene, which resulted in a premature stop codon in the gene of the F. goolgardi strain with the DAS genotype [29]. According to previous studies, in T-2-producing Fusarium species, Tri16 is an intronless gene [26]. In comparison with F. sporotrichioides, the Tri16 coding region of DAS-genotype strains exhibited a single-nucleotide deletion, which introduced a frameshift mutation and caused two premature stop codons in the gene of the F. goolgardi strain with the DAS genotype. However, Tri1 and Tri16 orthologs from all the T-2 producers, including the F. goolgardi T-2 genotype strains, did not contain the same or any other similar nonsense or frameshift mutations in the coding regions [29]. Overall, the results showed that the Tri1 gene is essential for the hydroxylation of type A trichothecene at C-8, and this gene determines the production of DAS, NEO, and T-2 toxins in F. goolgardi [29].
In the previous studies by Brown et al. [34], Peplow et al. [35], and Proctor et al. [36], the Tri16 gene was found to be truncated in the F. poae strains examined, which would explain why some F. poae strains cannot produce T-2 toxin. Moreover, the contradictory reports about the ability of different geographically originated F. poae strains to produce type A trichothecenes may also be the cause of the misidentification of Fusarium species due to their high morphological similarity [18,19,26].
The organization and genomic context of the trichothecene biosynthetic locus Tri1–Tri16 are similar in F. langsethiae, F. sibiricum, F. sporotrichioides, and F. goolgardi (including both the T-2 and DAS genotypes), but significantly different from those described for some of F. poae [26,29,36]. On the other hand, the occurrences of nonsense mutation and frameshift mutation in the coding region of Tri1 and Tri16 genes [29], respectively, led to the loss of functions of the two genes in type A trichothecene producers, such as F. goolgardi strains that possess a strict DAS genotype (Figure 2). These results indicate that we still have a lot to do about trichothecene biosynthesis in the Fusarium genus and also suggest the necessity of re-explaining the diversity of trichothecene production in these complicated fungi. Based on the research of the past, we can hypothesize that Fusarium strains that produce only trichothecene with a hydroxyl at C-8 may be identified in the future.

4. Proposed Biosynthetic Pathways of DAS and NEO and Comparisons with T-2

The biosynthesis of trichothecenes begins with the cyclization of the precursor substance trans-farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to form trichodiene, followed by oxygenation, isomerization, cyclization, and esterification to finally form trichothecene toxins with various structures. The types and chemical structures of trichothecene toxins are mainly determined by the metabolic pathways involved and the genetic differences in Tri genes. According to the chemical structures of trichothecenes and even some newly identified trichothecene orthologs produced by Fusarium species, the biosynthetic pathways and gene functions can probably be predicted based on our existing understanding of trichothecene biosynthesis [37]. Comprehensive studies have been conducted to reveal the biosynthesis of T-2 since the 1990s, and its biosynthetic pathway and molecular regulation mechanism are now relatively clear. To our best knowledge, however, limited information is available for the other type A trichothecenes, such as DAS and NEO.
Structurally, there are two hydrogen atoms at C-8 in the DAS molecule, while one of the two hydrogen atoms is replaced by a hydroxyl group and an isovalerate group, respectively, in NEO and T-2. That means the DAS genotype strains do not have the ability to synthesize the enzymes that can catalyze the hydroxylation and isovalerate addition to C-8. On the other hand, co-occurrence of DAS, NEO, and T-2 toxins in a single strain demonstrated that all the 3-acetylneosolaniol, 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol, and 3-acetyl T-2 can be served as substrates of Tri8 (an esterase) by which the C-3 acetyl group is replaced by a hydroxyl [38]. The differential activity of Tri8, as defined by the DNA sequence, determines the production of either 3ADON or 15ADON in FGSC [39]. However, so far, it is still unclear whether strains with a type A trichothecene genotype that produces only NEO but no trichothecene with isovalerate function at C-8 naturally exist in the genus Fusarium.
As shown in Table 1, the specific functions of most Tri genes in trichothecene biosynthesis have been studied in Fusarium species [33,35,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48], which makes it possible to predict the biosynthetic pathway of different trichothecene metabolites, such as DAS and NEO. For example, the Tri1 genes in T-2 producers are responsible for oxidation at C-8 of the trichothecene scaffold [33]. Target gene disruption of the Tri1 gene blocks production of C-8-oxygenated trichothecenes and leads to the accumulation of DAS in F. sporotrichioides [33]. The recently identified DAS producer that carries a non-functional Tri1 gene in F. goolgardi species further confirmed our thinking [29]. The data by Peplow et al. [35] indicate that Tri16 encodes an acyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of ester side groups at C-8 during T-2 biosynthesis in F. sporotrichioides. Similarly, Fusarium strains with type A trichothecene genotypes containing a non-functional Tri16 gene may produce NEO.
Based on the findings of trichothecene biosynthesis in Fusarium, as shown in Figure 3, we proposed the biosynthetic pathways of DAS and NEO and made a comparison with the T-2 biosynthetic pathway. As reviewed by Chen et al. [37] and Chen et al. [49], in trichothecene biosynthetic pathways, the reaction steps catalyzing FPP to calonectrin (CAL) are shared among Fusarium species. For detailed information on type A and type B trichothecene biosynthesis, please refer to previous publications [6,7,50,51,52]. In T-2 producers, intermediate metabolite CAL, which is eventually converted to T-2 toxin, undergoes a series of steps catalyzed by Tri13-Tri7-Tri1-Tri16-Tri8 sequentially. As we predicted, the same reactions occurred in the immediate two following steps, catalyzed by Tri13 and Tri7, respectively, after CAL during the biosynthesis of DAS, NEO, and T-2. CAL is hydroxylated by Tri13 at the C-4 position to produce the intermediate metabolite 3,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, and the hydroxyl group is subsequently converted to an acetyl group by the enzyme of Tri7 to produce 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol (Figure 3). As mentioned above, the DAS strains have a pseudo-Tri1 gene, so differences arise in the later steps after 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol during the biosynthesis of DAS, NEO, and T-2.
As shown in Figure 3, in DAS producers, 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol is deacetylated by esterase encoded by Tri8, leading to the formation of DAS. In NEO and T-2 producers, 3,4,15-triacetoxyscirpenol is further converted to 3-acetylenosolaniol through the activity of the Tri1 enzyme. The product 3-acetylenosolaniol is deacetylated by the enzyme of Tri8 at C-3 to produce NEO. In light of this, we draw the conclusion that CAL is catalyzed via the Tri13-Tri7-Tri8 and Tri13-Tri7-Tri1-Tri8 pathways, respectively, during the biosynthesis of DAS and NEO. It is easy to understand that T-2 producers can also produce portions of DAS and NEO which are the intermediates of T-2 biosynthesis, since the T-2 strains contain all the functional Tri genes required for DAS and NEO biosynthesis. However, the definite biosynthetic pathway and detailed regulation mechanisms of DAS and NEO are unclear, and systematic studies still should be conducted, especially using the strict DAS genotype strains identified, such as the DAS-genotype F. goolgardi strains. Moreover, the proposed biosynthetic pathways of DAS and NEO in this work will provide new insights into trichothecene biosynthesis and guide researchers to carry out more extensive studies on this topic.

5. Evolution Potential of Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation in Fusarium

Studies of trichothecene-producing Fusarium species indicate that the evolutionary process of the Tri loci is complex in fusaria and suggest that gain or loss functions, mutations, translocations, and non-functionalization occurred within and between Tri loci [23,36,39,53]. The structure diversity of trichothecenes is the cause of genetic polymorphism in the Tri genes. It was found that the evolution of Tri genes does not always correlate with the evolutionary process of Fusarium species, which has been maintained through balancing selection and accompanied by the evolution process of the fungi [54]. The studies by Proctor et al. [36] and Kelly et al. [55] reported inconsistencies between species phylogenies and Tri1–Tri16-based phylogenies. Specifically, trans-species evolution and genomic translocations of the Tri1 gene have been identified, and this gene is found in at least four genomic contexts [36]. Recently, Kelly et al. [55] revealed that the evolution of a novel trichothecene-producing population in FGSC was accompanied by a marked change in selective pressure on Tri1. However, the genomic context and evolutionary affinities of the Tri1 variants from type-A-trichothecene-producing strains have not been investigated. A wide range of sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of Tri1 from diverse Fusarium strains is warranted to further reveal the origins and evolutionary processes of the type-A-trichothecene-producing strains with different genotypes.
Proctor et al. [36] have also suggested that the Tri1–Tri16 locus was the ancestral character state in the ancestral trichothecene-producing Fusarium species, and the gene was probably functional in the ancestral strains, as it is more likely for a gene to lose functionality than for a non-functional gene (such as due to deletions and nonsense mutations, etc.) to become functional [29,36]. So, we hypothesize that the two genotypes within F. goolgardi evolved from the same ancestor. The Tri1 gene in F. goolgardi strains with the T-2 genotype is probably ancestral to the allele in strains with the DAS genotype.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting whether strains that primarily produce NEO or co-occurrences of NEO and DAS without T-2 exist in nature or not. If this is the case, three genotypes will be classified within type A trichothecene strains. To simplify the description of type A trichothecene genotypes, we recommend using DAS, NEO, and T-2, respectively, for the strains, which will facilitate the implementation of scientific research and academic exchanges.
The results of previous studies provide evidence for a complex evolutionary process of Tri loci and specific Tri genes that included gain, loss, functional changes, rearrangement, and trans-species polymorphism [23,36,39,53]. The structural diversity of trichothecenes potentially reflects differences in selection pressure experienced by the fungi that produce the analogs [54]. Ward et al. [54] concluded that trichothecene structural diversity in the FGSC has been maintained through balancing selection. Thus, further investigations are required to reveal the important evolutionary event that has given rise to type A trichothecene structural differences through comparative analyses of different Fusarium species. These results will provide new insights into genetic basis changes or biochemical alterations that occurred in trichothecene biosynthesis and regulation as fungi with the pathways adapt to various environmental conditions. Multispecies comparisons of Tri loci and Tri genes may also provide key insights into the evolution process of trichothecene metabolism in Fusarium.

6. Conclusions and Future Prospects

Two major type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium groups were identified in nature: one group can produce trichothecene containing an ester function at the C-8 position and is represented by T-2; the other group produces trichothecene without a substituent at C-7 and C-8 but not T-2 and is represented by DAS. The phylogenetic relationship assessment of Tri genes provided important evidence for the genetic basis of chemotype differentiation within this species. The Tri1–Tri16 locus is responsible for the chemical structure variation of these two genotypes; both Tri1 and Tri16 are functional in the T-2 genotype but non-functional in Fusarium strains with the DAS genotype due to the occurrence of premature stop codons caused by a point mutation within their coding regions [29]. The apparent genetic changes within type-A-trichothecene-producing Fusarium species highlight the need for monitoring and more phenotypic characterization of trichothecene-producing populations.
As previously reviewed, the Fusarium genus and trichothecene genotype diversity vary significantly among different hosts and geographic locations [15,16,17]. Further investigations are required to track the spread of different trichothecene genotypes and to elucidate potential differences in their competitive abilities, including environmental adaptability and aggressiveness in different plant hosts. The environmental drivers of trichothecene metabolic profile differentiation in Fusarium are waiting to be further revealed, and continuous studies will be required to elucidate the ethology, host preference, economic loss caused, forecast and prediction, and control methods of different Fusarium populations. Most importantly, the molecular mechanisms of DAS and NEO biosynthesis should be comprehensively clarified.

Author Contributions

Ideation, J.W. and M.Z.; literature search J.W., M.Z., J.Y., X.Y., J.Z. and Z.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, J.W., M.Z., J.Y. and X.Y.; writing—review and editing, J.W.; supervision, J.W.; project administration, J.W.; funding acquisition, J.W., J.Y. and X.Y. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (grant number 21DZ1201300) and Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (grant numbers 20ZR1437200 and 23ZR1455700).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Chemical structures of Type A and B trichothecenes. Examples of type A trichothecenes include T-2 toxin, DAS, and NEO. DON is an example of a type B trichothecene.
Figure 1. Chemical structures of Type A and B trichothecenes. Examples of type A trichothecenes include T-2 toxin, DAS, and NEO. DON is an example of a type B trichothecene.
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Figure 2. Type A trichothecene biosynthetic loci in Fusarium species. (a) The 12-gene core Tri cluster. (b) Comparison of the Tri1–Tri16 locus in Fusarium species with T-2, NEO, and DAS genotypes, respectively. Tri6 and Tri10, the two transcription factors, are shown in red. Arrows indicate genes and the direction of transcription. Filled arrows indicate that the Tri genes are functional, while the non-functional genes are indicated with empty arrows. Premature stop codons are indicated by vertical lines on the arrows; the frameshift that occurred in the Tri16 gene in the DAS genotype is indicated above the panel by * and together with a vertical line on the arrow.
Figure 2. Type A trichothecene biosynthetic loci in Fusarium species. (a) The 12-gene core Tri cluster. (b) Comparison of the Tri1–Tri16 locus in Fusarium species with T-2, NEO, and DAS genotypes, respectively. Tri6 and Tri10, the two transcription factors, are shown in red. Arrows indicate genes and the direction of transcription. Filled arrows indicate that the Tri genes are functional, while the non-functional genes are indicated with empty arrows. Premature stop codons are indicated by vertical lines on the arrows; the frameshift that occurred in the Tri16 gene in the DAS genotype is indicated above the panel by * and together with a vertical line on the arrow.
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Figure 3. The proposed biosynthetic pathways of DAS, NEO, and their comparison with T-2 in Fusarium. Steps catalyzed by Tri enzymes are identified near the arrow showing the step. Unlabeled arrows indicate steps for which the specific genes or enzymes are unknown.
Figure 3. The proposed biosynthetic pathways of DAS, NEO, and their comparison with T-2 in Fusarium. Steps catalyzed by Tri enzymes are identified near the arrow showing the step. Unlabeled arrows indicate steps for which the specific genes or enzymes are unknown.
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Table
Table 1. Function of Tri genes and major phenotype of individual Tri gene disruption in Type A trichothecene biosynthesis in F. sporotrichioides.
Table 1. Function of Tri genes and major phenotype of individual Tri gene disruption in Type A trichothecene biosynthesis in F. sporotrichioides.
Tri GeneFunctionMutant Phenotype
Tri8C-3 deacetylase3-acetyl T-2
Tri7C-4 acetyltransferaseHT-2
Tri3C-15 acetyltransferase15-decalonectrin, 3,15-didecalonectrin
Tri4multifunctional oxygenasetrichodiene
Tri6zinc finger transcription factorlow levels of trichodiene
Tri5trichodiene synthaseno trichothecenes
Tri10regulatory geneno trichothecenes
Tri9unknownnot determined
Tri11C-15 hydroxylaseisotrichodermin
Tri12trichothecene efflux pumpno trichothecenes
Tri13C-4 hydroxylase8-hydroxycalonectrin, 4-deoxy T-2, 8-hydroxy-3-deacetylcalonectrin
Tri14virulence factorT-2
Tri1C-8 hydroxylaseDAS
Tri16C-8 acyltransferaseNEO, DAS
Tri101C-3 acetyltransferaseisotrichodermol
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Wang, J.; Zhang, M.; Yang, J.; Yang, X.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation, Mechanisms, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Evolution in Fusarium Species—A Mini Review. Toxins 2023, 15, 446. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070446

AMA Style

Wang J, Zhang M, Yang J, Yang X, Zhang J, Zhao Z. Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation, Mechanisms, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Evolution in Fusarium Species—A Mini Review. Toxins. 2023; 15(7):446. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070446

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Wang, Jianhua, Mengyuan Zhang, Junhua Yang, Xianli Yang, Jiahui Zhang, and Zhihui Zhao. 2023. "Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation, Mechanisms, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Evolution in Fusarium Species—A Mini Review" Toxins 15, no. 7: 446. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070446

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