The epigenetic mechanisms in Fusarium mycotoxins induced toxicities

Abstract Fusarium mycotoxins are the most economically important fungal toxins. Fumonisins, zearalenone and trichothecenes (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol etc) are the major representatives and most studied of Fusarium mycotoxins. The Fusarium mycotoxins contaminate cereal grains, animal feeds and human food products, and cause huge economic losses and pose a threat to animal and human health globally. Depending on the type, the toxicity of Fusarium mycotoxins and the mechanisms have been well investigated. Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications and regulation of non-coding RNA) have been implicated in various human diseases and the toxicities in animals caused by Fusarium mycotoxins, including carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and reproductive disorders. On the basis of recently documented data, this review discussed the relationship between the epigenetic modifications and Fusarium mycotoxins-induced toxicities.