Deoxynivalenol: Emerging Toxic Mechanisms and Control Strategies, Current and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most frequently present mycotoxin contaminant in food and feed, causing a variety of toxic effects in humans and animals. Currently, a series of mechanisms involved in DON toxicity have been identified. In addition to the activation of oxidative stress and the MAPK signaling pathway, DON can activate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, which further regulates reactive oxygen species production and cancer cell apoptosis. Noncoding RNA and signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, FOXO, and TLR4/NF-κB also participate in DON toxicity. The intestinal microbiota and the brain–gut axis play a crucial role in DON-induced growth inhibition. In view of the synergistic toxic effect of DON and other mycotoxins, strategies to detect DON and control it biologically and the development of enzymes for the biodegradation of various mycotoxins and their introduction in the market are the current and future research hotspots.

Similarities in Structure and Function of UDP-Glycosyltransferase Homologs from Human and Plants

“…On the other hand, some UGT homologs may protect humans by metabolizing toxic compounds, such as pollutants in the environment and toxins from food and pharmaceuticals. As an example, UGT73C5 from A. thaliana [ 71 ], Bradi5gUGT0330 from Brachypodium distachyon [ 72 ], and UGT12887 from Tricum aestivum [ 73 ] metabolize deoxynivalenol; this compound is a mycotoxin that is commonly present in rotten grains, such as corn, wheat, and rice, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and fever [ 74 , 75 ]. Another toxin, zearalenone, can be glycosylated by UGT73C5 and UGT73C6 from A. thaliana [ 76 ]; this toxin is known for disrupting the hormone balance in humans, which induces a range of diseases, including prostate, ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers [ 77 ].…”

Discovering New Substrates of a UDP-Glycosyltransferase with a High-Throughput Method

“…Some UDP glycosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes are known for derivatizing toxic molecules that cause various diseases. For instance, deoxynivalenol is a mycotoxin that is present in rotten grains, such as rice and wheat, which leads to a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever [ 8 , 9 ]. Several reports show that this toxin can be glycosylated by several UGT homologs [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Pyrroloquinoline quinone production defines the ability of Devosia species to degrade deoxynivalenol

“…In recent years, detoxification using microbes and enzymes is considered an ideal detoxification method, characterized by high specificity, mild treatment conditions, no impact on palatability, and environmental safety. [22][23][24] In recent years, researchers worldwide have made substantial efforts to screen DON-degrading microbes, with an increasing number of DON-degrading bacterial strains reported. The identified DON-degrading microbes can be categorized into two major groups.…”

“…In recent years, detoxification using microbes and enzymes is considered an ideal detoxification method, characterized by high specificity, mild treatment conditions, no impact on palatability, and environmental safety. 22–24…”