Abstract
Ochratoxin is an important mycotoxin produced mainly by several Aspergilli and two Penicillium species. It has nephrotoxic activities and it is thought to be a causative agent for the occurrence of an endemic disease, the so-called Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Ochratoxin A is a polyketide secondary metabolite coupled to the amino acid phenylalanine. On the molecular level it blocks the translation process by competitive inhibition of the phenylalanine t-RNA synthetases in eukaryotic cells. Compared to the other important mycotoxins like the aflatoxins, trichothecenes and fumonisins, not that much is known about the molecular background of ochratoxin A biosynthesis. Recently a part of the gene cluster in the ochratoxin A biosynthesis pathway in Penicillium was identified. In addition the polyketide synthase gene of A. ochraceus was cloned, giving a first insight into the genetic background of ochratoxin A biosynthesis in both genera. Interestingly the identified genes differ considerably between the two genera. It is known that environmental factors have a profound influence on the regulation of mycotoxin biosynthetic genes. Extensive data about the influence of growth factors on ochratoxin A biosynthesis are available. Based on this information and on new data about the regulation of the expression of ochratoxin A biosynthesis genes in Penicillia and Aspergilli, models can be generated which describe the correlation between environmental factors, gene activation and ochratoxin biosynthesis. This chapter reviews the current knowledge of the biology of ochratoxin biosynthesis by Aspergillus and Penicillium.
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Geisen, R., Schmidt-Heydt, M. (2009). Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis. In: Anke, T., Weber, D. (eds) Physiology and Genetics. The Mycota, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00286-1_17
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