Description
Alternariol is a mycotoxin initially produced by species of Alternaria. Alternariol produces a weak estrogenic response in vitro and increases production of estradiol and progesterone. Alternariol is also cytotoxic; in macrophages, it increases DNA base oxidations and strand breaks. Also in macrophages, alternariol increases levels of cyclin B1 and p-cdc2, inducing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. This compound also increases expression of DNA polymerase β through alterations in PKA-CREB signaling. Additionally, alternariol inhibits topoisomerase I and II, preventing DNA relaxation and cleavage. Warning: Highly toxic. May be mutagenic.
References
Frizzell C, Ndossi D, Kalayou S, et al. An in vitro investigation of endocrine disrupting effects of the mycotoxin alternariol. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2013 Aug 15;271(1):64-71. PMID: 23665424.
Solhaug A, Holme JA, Haglund K, et al. Alternariol induces abnormal nuclear morphology and cell cycle arrest in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Toxicol Lett. 2013 May 10;219(1):8-17. PMID: 23454835.
Broggi L, Reynoso C, Resnik S, et al. Occurrence of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in beverages from the Entre Rios Province market, Argentina. Mycotoxin Res. 2013 Feb;29(1):17-22. PMID: 23334721.
Scott PM, Zhao W, Feng S, et al. Alternaria toxins alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in grain foods in Canada. Mycotoxin Res. 2012 Nov;28(4):261-6. PMID: 23087499.
Solhaug A, Vines LL, Ivanova L, et al. Mechanisms involved in alternariol-induced cell cycle arrest. Mutat Res. 2012 Oct-Nov;738-739:1-11. PMID: 23031795.
Zhao J, Liu K, Lu J, et al. Alternariol induces DNA polymerase β expression through the PKA-CREB signaling pathway. Int J Oncol. 2012 Jun;40(6):1923-8. PMID: 22406678.
Fehr M, Pahlke G, Fritz J, et al. Alternariol acts as a topoisomerase poison, preferentially affecting the IIalpha isoform. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2009 Apr;53(4):441-51. PMID: 18727009.
