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Title: THE TRICHOTHECENE TRIANGLE: TOXINS, GENES AND POPULATIONS

Author
item McCormick, Susan

Submitted to: National Fusarium Head Blight Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2005
Publication Date: 12/11/2005
Citation: Mc Cormick, S.P. 2005. The trichothecene triangle: toxins, genes, and populations [abstract]. National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings. p. 178.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium trichothecenes have been classified based on structural properties. Type A and Type B trichothecenes differ in their A ring oxygenation pattern. Type A trichothecenes have a C-8 hydroxyl (neosolaniol), C-8 ester (T-2 toxin) or no C-8 substitution (diacetoxyscirpenol) and Type B trichothecenes having a C-8 keto group (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol). F. graminearum Type B trichothecenes can be divided into two chemotaxonomic groups. The DON chemotype produces deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives (3-ADON, 15-ADON) and the NIV chemotype produces nivalenol and its acetylated derivative (fusarenone X). Nivalenol production is the ancestral trait based on sequence analysis. DON producers are more aggressive and virulent than those producing nivalenol (Desjardins et al. 2005). DON producers occur worldwide and predominate in North America, South America and Europe.