Detection and identification of amanitins in the wood-rotting fungi Galerina fasciculata and Galerina helvoliceps

More than 600 strains of wood-rotting fungi were screened for the detection of amanitins. Three strains of Galerina fasciculata and 18 strains of Gale rina helvoliceps contained amanitins. These strains contained mainly alpha- and beta-amanitins in the native fruit bodies, while alpha- and gamma-aman itins were found in liquid-cultured mycelia. Purified amanitins were confir med by their chromatographic profiles, spectra (UV, Fourier transform infra red, and atmospheric ionization mass), cytotoxicity for mammalian cell line s (3T3 and SiHa), and inhibitory effects on RNA polymerase II. The results revealed that the purified amanitin fractions from these species are identi cal to authentic amanitins and suggest that these two species must be handl ed as poisonous mushrooms.