Fumonisin
Group of chemical compounds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fumonisin refers to any one of a class of related chemical structures, the fumonisins, that constitute a group of fungal mycotoxins originally identified with genus Fusarium, a mycotoxin known for its contamination of infested corn seed[1][better source needed] (as well as other plants and foodstuffs[citation needed]), the infecting species, in particular, being within Fusarium's Liseola section.[2] As shown in the example in the figure (of fumonisin B1), members of the family are composed of a central "chai[n] of about 20 carbons", and bear an "acidic ester, acetylamino and sometimes other substituents".[1][better source needed] The fumonisins inhibit ceramide synthetase an enzyme[clarification needed] that converts sphingolipids to ceramides.[1]
Family background
As of 2000, 15 different fumonisins had been reported, and other minor metabolites have been characterized.[3][needs update] More specifically, the term refers primarily to the family of compounds that includes the widely studied fumonisins B1, B2, B3, and B4, as well as others.[citation needed] As chemical agents, the fumonisins are distinct[citation needed] from the large family of Fusarium trichothecene (T-2-type) mycotoxins,[4] and from the Fusarium estrogenic metabolite, zearalenone, an F-2-type mycotoxin.[5]
In 2015, a unique supposed class of non-aminated fumonisins was reported on grapes infected with Aspergillus welwitschiae, where toxicities have not yet been established.[6][non-primary source needed]
Mechanisms of toxicity
The fumonisins inhibit ceramide synthetase (sphingosine N-acyltransferase), an enzyme[clarification needed] that converts sphingolipids to ceramides.[1][better source needed]
Other research
Suggestion has appeared that the fumonisins are not genotoxic, and so might belong to the peroxisome proliferator class of non-genotoxic carcinogens.[7][needs update]