How Fungi Biosynthesize 3-Nitropropanoic Acid: The Simplest yet Lethal Mycotoxin
Colin W. Johnson, Masao Ōhashi, Yi Tang
Abstract
We uncovered the biosynthetic pathway of the lethal mycotoxin 3-nitropropanoic acid (3-NPA) from koji mold Aspergillus oryzae. The biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) of 3-NPA, which encodes an amine oxidase and a decarboxylase, is conserved in many fungi used in food processing, although most of the strains have not been reported to produce 3-NPA. Our discovery will lead to efforts that improve the safety profiles of these indispensable microorganisms in making food, alcoholic beverages, and seasoning.
Topics & Concepts
MycotoxinAspergillus oryzaeChemistryAspergillusGene clusterSeasoningMicroorganismBiochemistryGeneFood scienceMicrobiologyEnzymeBiologyBacteriaOrganic chemistryGeneticsRaw materialPlant and fungal interactionsMycotoxins in Agriculture and FoodPolyamine Metabolism and Applications