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The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 inhibits eukaryotic protein synthesis: in vitro and in vivo studies

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Abstract

Inhibitory action of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) on eukaryotic protein synthesis was investigated, both in animal and plant system, and was compared with cycloheximide. Inhibitory effect of FB1 was monitored in the TCA precipitable proteins of rabbit reticulocyte lysates exposed to various concentrations of the mycotoxin (0.0013–2.76 mM), using 35 S-methionine as a tracer. FB1 inhibited the protein synthesis by 6%, at 0.0013 mM and by 88%, at a higher concentration of 2.76 mM. Cycloheximide at a concentration of 0.355 mM was found to inhibit protein synthesis by 88%. Inhibitory action of FB1 (1 mg kg−1 body mass and a higher dose of 10 mg kg−1 body mass) or cycloheximide (10 mg kg−1 body mass; positive controls), injected intra-peritoneally into BALB/c mice was studied using 14C-l-Leucine as a tracer. FB1 at lower dose of 1 mg kg−1 body mass inhibited protein synthesis in liver by 8% and at a higher dose of 10 mg kg−1 body mass by 38% in the BALB/c mice, when compared to cycloheximide which inhibited protein synthesis by 61%. The effects of FB1 on protein synthesis in plant system was studied in germinated maize seedlings exposed to FB1 at 0.9 µM, 0.009 mM and 0.09 mM concentrations, using 14C-l-Leucine as a tracer. Fumonisin B1 at low, middle, and higher concentrations (0.9 µM, 0.009 mM, and 0.09 mM) inhibited protein synthesis in the seedlings by 4%, 12% and 22%, respectively. The inhibitory effects of FB1 on the protein synthesis in the animal system in vitro and in vivo conditions, and in the plant system were found to be dose-dependent, though it was less potent compared to cycloheximide.

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Abbreviations

DPM:

Disintegrations per minute

FB1 :

Fumonisin B1

PPO:

2,5-diphenyloxazole

POPOP:

1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)-benzene

RRL:

Rabbit reticulocyte lysate

TCA:

Trichloroacetic acid

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Mr. Amir-ul-Islam of Jonaki, Department of Atomic Energy, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India, for providing facility for carrying out the in vitro translation studies.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, AP, 500 007, India

    R. Karuna & R. B. Sashidhar

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Correspondence to R. B. Sashidhar.

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Karuna, R., Sashidhar, R.B. The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 inhibits eukaryotic protein synthesis: in vitro and in vivo studies. Mycopathologia 165, 37–49 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-007-9075-y

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