Authors: M. Zaccaria, M. Ludovici, S. M. Sanzani, A. Ippolito, R. Aiese Cigliano, W. Sanseverino, M. Scarpari, V. Scala, C. Fanelli and M. Reverberi.

Institutions:

  • Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, Largo Cristina di Svezia 24, Rome 00165, Italy
  • Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Giovanni Amendola 165/A, Bari 70126, Italy
  • Sequentia Biotech SL, Calle Comte d’Urgell 240 3°D, Barcelona 08036, Spain

Publication: Toxins

Date: July, 2015

Full paper: Menadione-Induced Oxidative Stress Re-Shapes the Oxylipin Profile of Aspergillus flavus and Its Lifestyle

Abstract:

Aspergillus flavus is an efficient producer of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1, probably the most hepatocarcinogenic naturally-occurring compound. Although the inducing agents of toxin synthesis are not unanimously identified, there is evidence that oxidative stress is one of the main actors in play. In our study, we use menadione, a quinone extensively implemented in studies on ROS response in animal cells, for causing stress to A. flavus. For uncovering the molecular determinants that drive A. flavus in challenging oxidative stress conditions, we have evaluated a wide spectrum of several different parameters, ranging from metabolic (ROS and oxylipin profile) to transcriptional analysis (RNA-seq). There emerges a scenario in which A. flavus activates several metabolic processes under oxidative stress conditions for limiting the ROS-associated detrimental effects, as well as for triggering adaptive and escape strategies.