title: Biosynthesis and function of gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany. daniel.scharf@hki-jena.de
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Scharf
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heinekamp
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Remme
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hortschansky
authors.forename: Axel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Brakhage
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hertweck
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D005912:Gliotoxin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D037521:Virulence Factors; D005912:Gliotoxin