Gliotoxin

Aspergillin

White to yellow solid

Fixed

200-202 ° C

Risk

67 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, mouse, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Gliotoxin is a potent mycotoxin (mold toxin ), which is produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Eurotium chevalieri and Gliocladium fimbriatum. Since the toxin is formed fumigatus primarily by the widespread Aspergillus, may also in organic waste under suitable conditions, increased amounts of this mycotoxin to be included.

Effect

The effect of gliotoxin appears mainly in its immunosuppressive and cytotoxic (cell toxic ) properties. The toxin accelerates the natural cell death ( apoptosis) in animal and human body cells, which usually occurs only after reaching a certain age of the cell.

Gliotoxin is interesting for medical research since its cytotoxic effect was also demonstrated in cancer cells. Maybe Gliotoxin can therefore also be used in cancer therapy.