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Published on: September 28, 2021
Production of ETP-Type (Epipolythiodioxopiperazine) Mycotoxins in Clinical Fungal Isolates
Yinzhong Fan1, Fan Xu1, Xin Hong2,3
1Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Abstract:
Gliotoxin, an epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) toxin, has been reported in several fungal species, but its distribution remains unclear. We analyzed 140 clinical isolates from two major hospitals using HPLC and LC-MS/MS to assess gliotoxin production. Gliotoxin was detected only in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, with no production observed in any other species under multiple culture conditions. Molecular networking and comparative genomics revealed distinct ETP-related pathways in non-A. fumigatus species, including aspirochlorine derivatives in Aspergillus flavus and aranotin-related metabolites in Aspergillus terreus. These findings clarify species-specific ETP profiles and confirm A. fumigatus as the sole gliotoxin producer among the isolates examined.
Insights
Gliotoxin, a fungal toxin, is exclusively produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, not other fungal species. This study clarifies the specific distribution of epipolythiodioxopiperazine toxins in clinical fungal isolates.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Gliotoxin is an epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) toxin produced by fungi.
- The distribution of gliotoxin among fungal species is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production of gliotoxin in clinical fungal isolates.
- To determine the species-specific distribution of ETP toxins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 140 clinical fungal isolates using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Molecular networking and comparative genomics were employed to identify ETP-related pathways.
Main Results:
- Gliotoxin was detected exclusively in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates.
- No gliotoxin production was observed in other fungal species tested.
- Distinct ETP-related pathways, such as aspirochlorine derivatives in Aspergillus flavus and aranotin-related metabolites in Aspergillus terreus, were identified in non-A. fumigatus species.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillus fumigatus is confirmed as the sole producer of gliotoxin among the clinical isolates examined.
- This study clarifies the species-specific profiles of ETP toxins in fungi.
