ARS | Publication request: Phytotoxicity of trichothecenes using an Arabidopsis detached leaf assay

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 25, 2007
Publication Date: March 25, 2007
Citation: Mc Cormick, S.P., Desjardins, A.E., Appell, M.D. 2007. Phytotoxicity of trichothecenes using an Arabidopsis detached leaf assay [abstract]. American Chemical Society. Available: http://www.acs.org Paper AGFD #85.

Technical Abstract: Trichothecenes are sesquiterpenoid epoxide mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and other fungi. Although some Fusarium trichothecenes are virulence factors in plant disease, the phytotoxicities of many trichothecenes have not been investigated. Results of previous studies, using a limited group of trichothecenes, suggest that trichothecenes with a C-3 acetyl group are less toxic than those with a C-3 hydroxyl group. In order to confirm this finding and to determine if additional structural features might influence phytotoxicity, detached leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana were treated with solutions of 24 trichothecenes that differed in oxygenation and acetylation and the ED50s were determined. The results confirm that in some, but not all cases, the C-3 acetyl group reduces phytotoxicity, and that other structural features may be important.