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DNA-attacking ability of carcinogenic mycotoxins in recombination-deficient mutant cells of Bacillus subtilis
Abstract:
Thirty mycotoxins and 5 chemically modified toxins were tested for DNA-attacking ability in the rec assay using the recombination-deficient mutant of Bacillus subtilis M45 (rec-) and the parent strain H17 (rec+). Six Penicillium toxins (citrinin, penicillic acid, patulin, (-)-luteoskyrin, (+)-rugulosin, and PR-toxin), 5 Aspergillus toxins (aflatoxins B1 and G1, sterigmatocystin, O-acetylsterigmatocystin, and O-acetyldihydrosterigmatocystin), and 2 Fusarium toxins (zearalenone and zearalenol-b) were positive. Among these 13 compounds, the following 8 mycotoxins have been reported to be carcinogenic in animals: citrinin, penicillic acid, patulin, (-)-luteoskyrin, (+)-rugulosin, aflatoxins B1, and G1, sterigmatocystin. Correlation between the rec effect and in vivo carcinogenicity of mycotoxins is discussed.
Insights
This study assessed the DNA-damaging potential of 30 mycotoxins using a bacterial rec assay. Thirteen mycotoxins, including aflatoxins and patulin, demonstrated DNA-attacking ability, with a correlation to animal carcinogenicity discussed.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi.
- Some mycotoxins are known carcinogens, posing risks to human and animal health.
- Understanding the genotoxic mechanisms of mycotoxins is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the DNA-attacking ability of various mycotoxins using the Bacillus subtilis rec assay.
- To investigate the correlation between the rec assay results and the in vivo carcinogenicity of mycotoxins.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the rec assay with recombination-deficient (rec-) and parent (rec+) Bacillus subtilis strains.
- Tested 30 mycotoxins and 5 chemically modified toxins for DNA-damaging activity.
- Identified positive compounds based on differential growth between rec- and rec+ strains.
Main Results:
- Thirteen mycotoxins exhibited DNA-attacking ability in the rec assay.
- Positive mycotoxins included citrinin, penicillic acid, patulin, luteoskyrin, rugulosin, PR-toxin, aflatoxins B1 and G1, sterigmatocystin, O-acetylsterigmatocystin, O-acetyldihydrosterigmatocystin, zearalenone, and zearalenol-b.
- Eight of the 13 positive compounds are known animal carcinogens: citrinin, penicillic acid, patulin, luteoskyrin, rugulosin, aflatoxins B1 and G1, and sterigmatocystin.
Conclusions:
- The rec assay is effective in identifying DNA-damaging mycotoxins.
- A correlation exists between the genotoxic potential indicated by the rec assay and in vivo carcinogenicity for several mycotoxins.
- Further research can explore the specific DNA-damaging mechanisms of these mycotoxins.