Description
Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) is a type A trichothecene mycotoxin initially produced by species of Fusarium. DAS primarily exhibits immunosuppressive and, potentially, anticancer activities; it is cytotoxic to most cell types and tissues in vivo. In Jurkat T cells, DAS initiates activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9, degradation of poly(ADP)-ribosomal polymerase (PARP), release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, as well as downregulation of Bcl-2, cdk4, and cyclin B1; together, this results in apoptosis and cell death. In other cellular models, DAS inhibits the killing action of phagocytic cells such as macrophages, decreasing generation of superoxide anions and altering lysozyme capabilities.