Genetic variability and Fumonisin production by Fusarium proliferatum

Fusarium proliferatum is together with Fusarium verticillioides the main source of fumonisins, a health risk mycotoxin, contaminating agro-products. Contrary to F. verticillioides, it colonizes a wide range of host plants besides maize, such as wheat or barley among others, in particular in certain regions (Southern Europe). The phylogenetic study performed in this work using a wide sample of isolates from diverse hosts and origins revealed a high variability, while no host preferences could be sustained. A real time RT-PCR assay was also developed specific for F. proliferatum on the basis on fumonisin biosynthetic gene, FUM1, which allowed discrimination from F. verticillioides. FUM1 gene expression showed a high and significant correlation (0.77) with fumonisin production, representing a valuable tool for specific and sensitive diagnosis of metabolically active fumonisin-producing F. proliferatum isolates and for evaluating the influence on environmental conditions on FUM1 gene regulation. The ability to produce fumonisins was also widely distributed indicating that F. proliferatum can represent a risk for health similarly to F. verticillioides. Moreover, the wide range of plants susceptible to colonization by F. proliferatum suggests that the impact of fumonisin risk in a number of commodities might need a revision.