Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity of trichothecene mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp

Toxicon. 2013 Nov:74:68-75. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.07.026. Epub 2013 Aug 7.

Abstract

Trichothecenes, a major class of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys species, are toxic to both plants and mammals. Simple trichothecenes, including type A (e.g., T-2 toxin) and type B (e.g., deoxynivalenol), are generally less toxic than macrocyclic trichothecenes. We sought to determine if simple trichothecenes are a potential source of candidates for development as bioherbicides, which require high phytotoxicity and low mammalian toxicity. We examined 28 simple trichothecenes in vitro for phytotoxicity using a small aquatic plant, Lemna pausicostata, and for mammalian toxicity using four cultured mammalian cell lines. Several structure-activity relationships were identified, including the following two, which may be relevant to bioherbicide development: peracetylation of type B trichothecenes and de-epoxidation of type A trichothecenes both substantially reduced mammalian toxicity with little effect on phytotoxicity. It was concluded that simple trichothecenes possessing strong phytotoxicity and minimal mammalian toxicity in vitro can be identified.

Keywords: Bioherbicide; Cytotoxicity; Fusarium spp.; Phytotoxicity; Trichothecenes; Vomitoxin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Araceae / drug effects*
  • Biological Assay
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • Fusarium / chemistry*
  • Herbicides / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • T-2 Toxin / pharmacology
  • Trichothecenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Trichothecenes
  • T-2 Toxin
  • deoxynivalenol