Biochemical and molecular analysis of the biosynthesis of fumonisins

Liangcheng Du, Fengan Yu, Xiangcheng Zhu, Kathia Zaleta-Rivera, Ravi S. Bojja, Yousong Ding, Han Yi, Qiaomei Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by several widespread fungal pathogens of corn. Ingestion of fumonisin contaminated food and feeds causes several fatal diseases in livestock and is associated with esophageal cancer and neural tube defects in humans. In the recent years, fumonisin research has become one of the most active areas in fungal secondary metabolism. The gene cluster (FUM) required for fumonisin biosynthesis in Fusarium verticillioides has been cloned. The FUM genes are predicted to encode various fascinating enzymes, including a seven-domain iterative modular polyketide synthase (PKS), the first example of a fusion protein between the two subunits of serine palmitoyltransferase, a naturally fused cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and reductase, and a "stand-alone" nonribosomal peptide synthetase complex. This review highlights the progress in the studies of the molecular mechanism for fumonisin biosynthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPolyketides Biosynthesis, Biological Activity, and Genetic Engineering
PublisherAmerican Chemical Society
Pages81-96
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)0841239789, 9780841239784
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

Publication series

NameACS Symposium Series
Volume955
ISSN (Print)0097-6156

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Chemical Engineering(all)

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