Alternariol is a mycotoxin produced by Alternaria and is often found as a contaminant in fruit and small grain cereal products. Structurally, it is characterized as a dibenzopyranone. It can be used as an analytical standard. The product is soluble in methanol or DMSO.
| Molecular Formula | C14H10O5 |
| Spectrum | Alternariol is active against fungi. |
| Eukaryotic Cell Culture Applications | Human colon carcinoma cells were used to elucidate the cell death mode and pathways triggered by Alternariol. The mycotoxin induced apoptosis and thus cell viability. It was mediated via a motochondria-dependent pathway. It does not target this organelle directly; its cytotoxicity is mediated by the activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis (Bensassi F et al, 2012). |
| Mechanism of Action | Alternariol damages DNA and causes base oxidations and strand breaks, and phosphorylation (activation) of histone H2A and check point kinase-1 and 2 (Chk-1/2). Alternariol-induced DNA damage and resulting transcriptional changes in p21, MDM2 and Cyclin B contribute to a reduction of cell proliferation. |
| References |
Asam S et al (2011) Precise determination of the Alternaria mycotoxins Alternariol and Alternariol monomethyl ether in cereal, fruit and vegetable products using stable isotope dilution assays. Mycotoxin Res. 27(1):23-28
Bensassi F et al (2012) Cell death induced by the Alternaria mycotoxin Alternariol. Toxicol. In Vitro 26(6):915-923
Solhaug A et al (2012) Mechanisms involved in alternariol-induced cell cycle arrest. Mutat. Res. 738-739:1-11 PMID 23031795
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