Gliotoxin, 1 MG

Gliotoxin is a potent epithiodioxopiperazine mycotoxin produced by species of Gliocladium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. At the cellular level gliotoxin inhibits a broad range of unrelated mechanisms, including inhibition of chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome and Ca2+ release from mitochondria, activation of transcription factor NF-αºB in response to a variety of stimuli in T and B cells, anti-inflammatory activity, and inhibition of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase. The mode of action appears to be via covalent interaction with proteins through mixed disulphide formation. Gliotoxin inhibits a number of thiol-requiring enzymes and also displays antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.