Aspergillus parasiticus and related fungi frequently produce aflatoxin contamination in food and feed crops in the US and in other areas of the world. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) I hepatotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, and is one of the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens known in certain animals. Data also strongly suggest that AFB1 is a contributory risk factor in primary liver cancer in humans. The long term goal of this research is to eliminate AFB1 from the food chain. The short term goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms which regulate the expression of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of AFB1. The proposed studies are designed to identify several control points in the AFB1 biosynthetic pathway which provide targets for inhibition of toxin synthesis by compounds produced by or introduced onto the host plant. The following specific aims are proposed to develop an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms which regulate gene expression at the level of transcription and protein localization. 1. Identify specific cis-acting sites and trans-acting regulatory factors (TAF) which mediate the regulation of AFB1 biosynthesis. 2. Analyze the subcellular localization and interaction of enzymes which catalyze late pathway functions involved in AFB1 synthesis. To achieve Specific aim 1, Gel mobility shift and DNAse I footprint analyses will map the location of cis-acting sites in the promoters of key genes involved in AFB1 synthesis. The functional significance of these sites will be analyzed in vivo by measuring the effects of directed mutagenesis on the expression of beta-glucuroindase (GUS) reporter constructs under appropriate growth conditions. Genes encoding TAF will be cloned using established technologies and the influence of nutrients, environmental factors, and fungal development on TAF expression/activity will be analyzed. To achieve Specific aim 2, polyclonal antibodies will be used to localize key enzymes involved in AFB1 synthesis by cell fractionation, immunolocalization, and electron microscopy. These same protocols plus immunoprecipitation will be utilized to study the possible physical interaction and co-localization of these enzymes in fungal cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA052003-09
Application #
2856297
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG4-ALTX-1 (01))
Program Officer
Yang, Shen K
Project Start
1991-01-01
Project End
2001-12-31
Budget Start
1999-01-01
Budget End
1999-12-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
Wee, Josephine; Day, Devin M; Linz, John E (2016) Effects of Zinc Chelators on Aflatoxin Production in Aspergillus parasiticus. Toxins (Basel) 8:
Roze, Ludmila V; Laivenieks, Maris; Hong, Sung-Yong et al. (2015) Aflatoxin biosynthesis is a novel source of reactive oxygen species--a potential redox signal to initiate resistance to oxidative stress? Toxins (Basel) 7:1411-30
Linz, John E; Wee, Josephine; Roze, Ludmila V (2014) Aspergillus parasiticus SU-1 genome sequence, predicted chromosome structure, and comparative gene expression under aflatoxin-inducing conditions: evidence that differential expression contributes to species phenotype. Eukaryot Cell 13:1113-23
Hong, Sung-Yong; Roze, Ludmila V; Wee, Josephine et al. (2013) Evidence that a transcription factor regulatory network coordinates oxidative stress response and secondary metabolism in aspergilli. Microbiologyopen 2:144-60
Ehrlich, Kenneth C; Mack, Brian M; Wei, Qijian et al. (2012) Association with AflR in endosomes reveals new functions for AflJ in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Toxins (Basel) 4:1582-1600
Linz, John E; Chanda, Anindya; Hong, Sung-Yong et al. (2012) Proteomic and biochemical evidence support a role for transport vesicles and endosomes in stress response and secondary metabolism in aspergillus parasiticus. J Proteome Res 11:767-75
Roze, Ludmila V; Beaudry, Randolph M; Linz, John E (2012) Analysis of volatile compounds emitted by filamentous fungi using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Methods Mol Biol 944:133-42
Roze, Ludmila V; Chanda, Anindya; Wee, Josephine et al. (2011) Stress-related transcription factor AtfB integrates secondary metabolism with oxidative stress response in aspergilli. J Biol Chem 286:35137-48
Roze, Ludmila V; Chanda, Anindya; Linz, John E (2011) Compartmentalization and molecular traffic in secondary metabolism: a new understanding of established cellular processes. Fungal Genet Biol 48:35-48
Roze, Ludmila V; Koptina, Anna V; Laivenieks, Maris et al. (2011) Willow volatiles influence growth, development, and secondary metabolism in Aspergillus parasiticus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 92:359-70

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