Patulin-induced inhibition of protein synthesis in hepatoma tissue culture

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several species of fungi and is commonly found in fruits. It is regulated in several countries at a tolerance level of 50 micrograms/Kg. We investigated its ability to inhibit cell growth in hepatoma tissue culture and its ability to inhibit protein synthesis. It was found to be cytostatic at concentration of 1 microgram/mL (6.4 microM). It inhibits protein synthesis by two mechanisms: inhibition of amino acid uptake into the cell and their incorporation into proteins. The former mechanism appears to be more significant than the latter. This is consistent with previous work showing the ability of patulin to perturb plasma membrane function.