Mycotoxins, mutagen studies

Substantial inhibition of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis (86% inhibition) by trichothecene myco-toxin was observed in human (HeLa) cells,47 but T-2 toxin had minor effects (15% inhibition) on RNA synthesis in Vero cells.46 The trichothecene myco-toxin-related inhibition of RNA synthesis is probably a secondary effect of the inhibition of protein synthesis. Scheduled DNA synthesis is strongly inhibited in various types of cells that are exposed to trichothecene mycotoxins. In mice or rats treated with trichothecene mycotoxins, DNA synthesis in all tissues studied was suppressed, although to a lesser degree than protein synthesis.49 The pattern by which DNA synthesis is inhibited by the trichothecene mycotoxins is consistent with the primary effect of these toxins on protein synthesis. In appropriate cell models, for the most part, trichothecene mycotoxins demonstrate neither mutagenic activity nor the capacity to damage DNA.50... 

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