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Published on: December 11, 2015
Drosophila melanogaster as a model to characterize fungal volatile organic compounds
Arati A Inamdar1, Taslim Zaman, Shannon U Morath
1Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
Abstract:
Fungi are implicated in poor indoor air quality and may pose a potential risk factor for building/mold related illnesses. Fungi emit numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, aldehydes, terpenoids, thiols, and their derivatives. The toxicity profile of these VOCs has never been explored in a model organism, which could enable the performance of high throughput toxicological assays and lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of toxicity. We have established a reductionist Drosophila melanogaster model to evaluate the toxicity of fungal VOCs. In this report, we assessed the toxicity of fungal VOCs emitted from living cultures of species in the genera, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium and observed a detrimental effect on larval survival. We then used chemical standards of selected fungal VOCs to assess their toxicity on larval and adult Drosophila. We compared the survival of adult flies exposed to these fungal VOCs with known industrial toxic chemicals (formaldehyde [37%], xylene, benzene, and toluene). Among the tested fungal VOC standards, the compounds with eight carbons (C8) caused greater truncation of fly lifespan than tested non-C8 fungal VOCs and industrial toxins. Our data validate the use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model with the potential to elucidate the mechanistic attributes of different toxic VOCs emitted by fungi and also to explore the potential link between reported human illnesses/symptoms and exposure to water damaged and mold contaminated buildings.
Insights
Fungi release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to illness. A new Drosophila melanogaster model shows C8 VOCs significantly reduce fly lifespan, validating this model for studying fungal VOC toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Mycology
Background:
- Fungi contribute to poor indoor air quality and building-related illnesses.
- Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are linked to health issues, but their toxicity is poorly understood.
- A model organism is needed for high-throughput toxicological assays of fungal VOCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate a Drosophila melanogaster model for assessing fungal VOC toxicity.
- To evaluate the toxicity of VOCs emitted by Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium species.
- To compare the toxicity of fungal VOCs with industrial chemicals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a reductionist Drosophila melanogaster model.
- Assessed toxicity of VOCs from living fungal cultures and chemical standards.
- Compared adult fly survival rates upon exposure to fungal VOCs and industrial toxins (formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, toluene).
Main Results:
- Fungal VOCs from Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium negatively impacted larval survival.
- Exposure to fungal VOCs significantly reduced adult fly lifespan.
- Eight-carbon (C8) fungal VOCs were more detrimental to fly lifespan than non-C8 VOCs and industrial toxins.
Conclusions:
- Drosophila melanogaster is a validated model for elucidating fungal VOC toxicity mechanisms.
- This model can explore links between building-related illnesses and exposure to mold-contaminated environments.
- Further research can identify specific toxic VOCs and their health impacts.
