title: Predicted roles of the uncharacterized clustered genes in aflatoxin biosynthesis.
abstract: Biosynthesis of the toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFs) requires the activity of more than 27 enzymes. The roles in biosynthesis of newly described enzymes are discussed in this review. We suggest that HypC catalyzes the oxidation of norsolorinic acid anthrone; AvfA (AflI), the ring-closure step in formation of hydroxyversicolorone; HypB, the second oxidation step in conversion of O-methylsterigmatocystin to AF; and HypE and NorA (AflE), the final two steps in AFB(1) formation. HypD, an integral membrane protein, affects fungal development and lowers AF production while AflJ (AflS), has a partial methyltransferase domain that may be important in its function as a transcriptional co-activator.
authors: Southern Regional Research Center, ARS, USDA/1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA. ken.ehrlich@ars.usda.gov
authors: Kenneth C
authors: KC
authors: Ehrlich
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D005810:Multigene Family; D064210:Secondary Metabolism
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D005656:Fungal Proteins