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Title: DISRUPTION ANALYSIS OF THE FUMONISIN GENE CLUSTER FROM FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES

Author
item Butchko, Robert
item Plattner, Ronald
item Desjardins, Anne
item Proctor, Robert

Submitted to: Gordon Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2002
Publication Date: 6/21/2002
Citation: Butchko, R.A., Plattner, R.D., Desjardins, A.E., Proctor, R. 2002. Disruption analysis of the fumonisin gene cluster from fusarium verticillioides. Gordon Research Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fumonisins are toxic fungal secondary metabolites that cause equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, and have been associated with liver and kidney cancer in laboratory rodents. The presence of a gene cluster encoding 15 co-regulated genes associated with fumonisin biosynthesis has been demonstrated in the maize pathogen F. verticillioides. In an effort to more fully describe the biosynthetic pathway leading to fumonisin production, we are disrupting each of the genes in the cluster. Disruption of three genes in the cluster blocked fumonisin production, but did not lead to the accumulation of obvious intermediates. Disruption of four others had no obvious affect on fumonisin production. Disruptions of four other genes, a dioxygenase, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, a carbonyl reductase, and fatty acyl-CoA synthase have lead to the accumulation of predicted fumonisin intermediates. The accumulation of these intermediates has allowed us to more fully describe the fumonisin biosynthetic pathway and the functions of the FUM genes.