The metabolism and biotransformation of AFB1: Key enzymes and pathways

Lingling Wang; Qiang Huang; Jun Wu; Wanying Wu; Jun Jiang; Hongji Yan; Jieying Huang; Yu Sun; Yiqun Deng

doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115005

The metabolism and biotransformation of AFB₁: Key enzymes and pathways

Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 May:199:115005. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115005. Epub 2022 Mar 19.

Authors

Lingling Wang¹, Qiang Huang¹, Jun Wu¹, Wanying Wu¹, Jun Jiang¹, Hongji Yan¹, Jieying Huang¹, Yu Sun¹, Yiqun Deng²

Affiliations

¹ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China.
² Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, PR China. Electronic address: yqdeng@scau.edu.cn.

PMID: 35318037
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115005

Abstract

Aflatoxins B₁ (AFB₁) is a hepatoxic compound produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, seriously threatening food safety and the health of humans and animals. Understanding the metabolism of AFB₁ is important for developing detoxification and intervention strategies. In this review, we summarize the AFB₁ metabolic fates in humans and animals and the key enzymes that metabolize AFB₁, including cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) for AFB₁ bioactivation, glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and aflatoxin-aldehyde reductases (AFARs) in detoxification. Furthermore, AFB₁ metabolism in microbes is also summarized. Microorganisms specifically and efficiently transform AFB₁ into less or non-toxic products in an environmental-friendly approach which could be the most desirable detoxification strategy in the future. This review provides a wholistic insight into the metabolism and biotransformation of AFB₁ in various organisms, which also benefits the development of protective strategies in humans and animals.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B(1); Key enzymes; Metabolism and biotransformation; Pathways.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aflatoxin B1* / metabolism
Animals
Aspergillus flavus* / metabolism
Biotransformation
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism

Substances

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
Aflatoxin B1