| Title: | Mycofumigation through production of the volatile DNA-methylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosoisobutyramide by fungi in the genus Muscodor |
| Author(s): | Hutchings ML; Alpha-Cobb CJ; Hiller DA; Berro J; Strobel SA; |
| Address: | "From the Departments of Chemistry and. Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Chemical Biology Institute, and. Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Nanobiology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut 06516. Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Chemical Biology Institute, and scott.strobel@yale.edu" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1083-351X (Electronic) 0021-9258 (Print) 0021-9258 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Antagonistic microorganisms produce antimicrobials to inhibit the growth of competitors. Although water-soluble antimicrobials are limited to proximal interactions via aqueous diffusion, volatile antimicrobials are able to act at a distance and diffuse through heterogeneous environments. Here, we identify the mechanism of action of Muscodor albus, an endophytic fungus known for its volatile antimicrobial activity toward a wide range of human and plant pathogens and its potential use in mycofumigation. Proposed uses of the Muscodor species include protecting crops, produce, and building materials from undesired fungal or bacterial growth. By analyzing a collection of Muscodor isolates with varying toxicity, we demonstrate that the volatile mycotoxin, N-methyl-N-nitrosoisobutyramide, is the dominant factor in Muscodor toxicity and acts primarily through DNA methylation. Additionally, Muscodor isolates exhibit higher resistance to DNA methylation compared with other fungi. This work contributes to the evaluation of Muscodor isolates as potential mycofumigants, provides insight into chemical strategies that organisms use to manipulate their environment, and provokes questions regarding the mechanisms of resistance used to tolerate constitutive, long-term exposure to DNA methylation" |
| Keywords: | "*Antifungal Agents/chemistry/pharmacology DNA Methylation/*drug effects DNA, Fungal/*metabolism Drug Resistance, Fungal/*drug effects Humans Methylation *Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry/pharmacology Xylariales/*metabolism DNA methylation N-nitroso co;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineHutchings, Michelle L Alpha-Cobb, Cambria J Hiller, David A Berro, Julien Strobel, Scott A eng T32 GM007223/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2017/03/12 J Biol Chem. 2017 May 5; 292(18):7358-7371. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.779009. Epub 2017 Mar 10" |
