This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Research Article
Phytotoxicity of selected trichothecenes using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model system †
Article first published online: 13 DEC 2000
DOI: 10.1002/1522-7189(199911/12)7:6<265::AID-NT65>3.0.CO;2-5
This article is a US government work and is in the public domain in the United States.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Alexander, N. J., McCormick, S. P. and Ziegenhorn, S. L. (1999), Phytotoxicity of selected trichothecenes using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model system . Nat. Toxins, 7: 265–269. doi: 10.1002/1522-7189(199911/12)7:6<265::AID-NT65>3.0.CO;2-5
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 13 DEC 2000
- Article first published online: 13 DEC 2000
- Manuscript Accepted: 22 FEB 2000
- Manuscript Received: 4 FEB 2000
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- Fusarium toxins;
- wheat head blight;
- bioassay;
- mycotoxin
Abstract
Trichothecenes are potent inhibitors of cytoplasmic protein synthesis which can affect the severity of plant diseases such as wheat head scab. While many trichothecene-producing fungi share the initial biosynthetic intermediates, Fusarium sp. are unique in the production of trichothecenes containing an oxygen function at C-3. Although the initial trichothecene and the final products have a C-3 hydroxyl group, the intermediate steps are acetylated at C-3. By using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular plant with a well-defined genetic system, we were able to test the proposal that trichothecenes with a C-3 hydroxyl are more toxic to plants, as well as demonstrate that C. reinhardtii is a promising plant trichothecene bioassay system. Seven pairs of trichothecenes with either a C-3 hydroxyl or C-3 acetyl group were assayed. Our results confirm that trichothecenes acetylated at C-3 were far less toxic to Chlamydomonas than those with a C-3 hydroxyl group. Published in 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.