TRICHOTHECENE BIOSYNTHESIS IN FUSARIUM SPECIES - CHEMISTRY, GENETICS,AND SIGNIFICANCE

Several species of the genus Fusarium and related fungi produce tricho thecenes which are sesquiterpenoid epoxides that act as potent inhibit ors of eukaryotic protein synthesis. Interest in the trichothecenes is due primarily to their widespread contamination of agricultural commo dities and their adverse effects on human and animal health. In this r eview, we describe the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway in Fusarium species and discuss genetic evidence that several trichothecene biosyn thetic genes are organized in a gene cluster. Trichothecenes are highl y toxic to a wide range of eukaryotes, but their specific function, if any, in the survival of the fungi that produce them is not obvious. T richothecene gene disruption experiments indicate that production of t richothecenes can enhance the severity of disease caused by Fusarium s pecies on some plant hosts. Understanding the regulation and function of trichothecene biosynthesis may aid in development of new strategies for controlling their production in food and feed products.