The epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) class of fungal toxins: Distribution, mode of action, functions and biosynthesis

Donald M. Gardiner, Paul Waring, Barbara J. Howlett

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    370 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs) are toxic secondary metabolites made only by fungi. The best-known ETP is gliotoxin, which appears to be a virulence factor associated with invasive aspergillosis of immunocompromised patients. The toxicity of ETPs is due to the presence of a disulphide bridge, which can inactivate proteins via reaction with thiol groups, and to the generation of reactive oxygen species by redox cycling. With the availability of complete fungal genome sequences and efficient gene-disruption techniques for fungi, approaches are now feasible to delineate biosynthetic pathways for ETPs and to gain insights into the evolution of such gene clusters.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1021-1032
    Number of pages12
    JournalMicrobiology (United Kingdom)
    Volume151
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Apr 2005

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