Description
Penicillic acid is a neuroactive mycotoxin initially produced by species of Penicillum and Aspergillus. In vitro and in vivo, penicillic acid inhibits Ca2+sensitive (BK) K+ channels as well as Na+, K+, and Ca2+ channels in cardiac tissue. Penicillic acid exhibits antifungal and anti-apoptotic activities. In vitro, penicillic acid increases expression of histone demethylase JMJD-3 and decreases expression of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), inhibiting proliferation of macrophages. Penicillic acid inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis, preventing activation of caspases 3 and 9 through inhibition of upstream signaling and also preventing activation of caspase 8 through direct inhibition. Additionally, this compound induces abnormal branching and swelling in species of Phytophthora.
References
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Kang SW, Kim SW. New antifungal activity of penicillic acid against Phytophthora species. Biotechnol Lett. 2004 May;26(9):695-8. PMID: 15195966.
Bando M, Hasegawa M, Tsuboi Y, et al. The mycotoxin penicillic acid inhibits Fas ligand-induced apoptosis by blocking self-processing of caspase-8 in death-inducing signaling complex. J Biol Chem. 2003 Feb 21;278(8):5786-93. PMID: 12482880.
Pandiyan V, Nayeem M, Nanjappan K, et al. Penicillic acid as Na+,K+ and Ca2+ channel blocker in isolated frog's heart at toxic levels. Indian J Exp Biol. 1990 Mar;28(3):295-6. PMID: 2163978.
