Inhibition of polyketide synthesis in Alternaria alternata by the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor cerulenin

Abstract

The fatty acid synthase inhibitor cerulenin (50 to 100 μg/ml) inhibited production of the polyketide mycotoxins alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) by the mold Alternaria alternata. The results suggested that AOH synthesis was inhibited by a direct mechanism by cerulenin, whereas production of AME was probably limited by a shortage of the precursor AOH.