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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #178353
Title: ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS GENOMICS FOR STUDYING THE MECHANISM OF AFLATOXIN BIOSYNTHESIS

Author
item Yu, Jiujiang
item Wilkinson, Jeffery
item KIM, H - TIGR ROCKVILLE MD
item NIERMAN, WILLIAM - TIGR ROCKVILLE MD
item Kim, Jong Heon
item Campbell, Bruce
item Bhatnagar, Deepak
item Cleveland, Thomas

Submitted to: International Union of Microbiological Societies Proceedings/Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2005
Publication Date: 7/30/2005
Citation: Yu, J., Wilkinson, J.R., Kim, H.S., Nierman, W.C., Kim, J.H., Campbell, B.C., Bhatnagar, D., Cleveland, T.E. 2005. Aspergillus flavus genomics for studying the mechanism of aflatoxin biosynthesis. International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) Proceedings/Abstracts, July 23-28, 2005, San Francisco, CA. p. 6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolisms produced by the molds, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. These compounds are toxic and extremely carcinogenic. It poses a serious health hazard when they contaminate food and feed commodities. Sequencing and annotation of A. flavus ESTs identified 7,218 unique EST sequences. Genes that are putatively involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis, regulation and signal transduction, fungal virulence or pathogenicity, stress response or antioxidation, and fungal development were identified from these ESTs. Gene profiling under aflatoxin-producing and non-producing conditions has thus far identified hundreds of genes that are potentially involved in aflatoxin production. Further investigations on the functions of these genes are underway. This research is expected to provide information for developing new strategies for control of aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities.