Author
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Norred, William |
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Submitted to: International Life Sciences Institute Symposium Series
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2000 Publication Date: 12/1/2000 Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Fumonisins are a group of chemically related toxins that are made by certain molds that live inside corn plants. These molds can sometimes cause plant diseases, such as ear or stalk rot. The corn kernels can be visibly moldy, and may contain large amounts of fumonisins. Besides causing fatal diseases in horses and pigs, fumonisins are suspected of causing esophageal cancer in people. Recent studies by the National Toxicology Program revealed "clear evidence" that fumonisin is a carcinogen. Now, decisions must be made as to whether fumonisins should be regulated, or whether guidelines are adequate to protect the public. Such regulations or guidelines, if set unnecessarily low, could have severe adverse effects on corn growers and exporters. Technical Abstract: Fumonisins are secondary metabolites produced by several members of the Fusarium fungi, most notably F. moniliforme, and are common contaminants of corn. Fumonisins cause several fatal diseases in farm animals, are liver and kidney carcinogens in rodents, and are suspected as a cause of esophageal cancer in human populations where corn that is frequently moldy is consumed as a staple. Fumonisins are structural analogs of sphinganine, the backbone molecule of the sphingolipids, and act by blocking ceramide synthase and causing disruption of sphingolipid metabolism. This disruption causes a myriad of effects in cells, including impaired signal transduction and cytokine expression that leads to cytotoxicity and alterations in apoptosis and proliferation. Fumonisins are an important problem for corn growers, producers, manufacturers, exporters and regulatory agencies. Ways to reduce the threat they pose to animal and human health, as well as the economic losses incurred, must be found. |
