Fusarins and Fusaric Acid in Fusaria

Abstract

Fusaric acid (FA) and fusarins are two polyketides produced by a broad range of Fusarium species. Different methods have been developed for detection and structural analysis of both compounds. Some of the fusarins are mutagenic while FA is a plant toxin that contributes to the severity of different crop diseases. Examples of FA toxicity against plants, amoebas, bacteria, and viruses are given. Animals and humans are also affected by consumption of FA-contaminated feed and food, respectively. Their symptoms are hypotension, lack of appetite, vomit, and loss of weight. This chapter describes some of the many different pharmacological effects on humans. Fusarin and FA gene clusters have recently been identified and characterized in Fusarium fujikuroi and have been compared to the ones in other species. Both mycotoxins are produced under nitrogen excess and are regulated by pH. Regulation of the clusters has been studied at gene expression level, and the effect of global regulators such as velvet complex, LaeA or histone acetylation.