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Biosynthesis and function of gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Abstract

Gliotoxin (GT) is the prototype of the epidithiodioxopiperazine (ETP)-type fungal toxins. GT plays a critical role in the pathobiology of Aspergillus fumigatus. It modulates the immune response and induces apoptosis in different cell types. The toxicity has been attributed to the unusual intramolecular disulfide bridge, which is the functional motif of all ETPs. Because of the extraordinary structure and activity of GT, this fungal metabolite has been the subject of many investigations. The biosynthesis of GT involves unprecedented reactions catalysed by recently discovered enzymes. Here, we summarize the recent progress in elucidating the GT biosynthetic pathway and its role in virulence.

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Acknowledgement

Financial support by the DFG funded JSMC and ILRS is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Molecular and Applied Microbiology and Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany

    Daniel H. Scharf, Thorsten Heinekamp, Nicole Remme, Peter Hortschansky, Axel A. Brakhage & Christian Hertweck

  2. Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany

    Daniel H. Scharf, Nicole Remme, Axel A. Brakhage & Christian Hertweck

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  1. Daniel H. Scharf
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  2. Thorsten Heinekamp
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  5. Axel A. Brakhage
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  6. Christian Hertweck
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Correspondence to Daniel H. Scharf.

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Scharf, D.H., Heinekamp, T., Remme, N. et al. Biosynthesis and function of gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 93, 467–472 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-011-3689-1

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