Roles of cytochromes P450 and ribosome inhibition in the interaction between two preoccupying mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol
Résumé
Mycotoxins are a threat to human and animal health. Climate change increases their occurrence and our dietary
exposure. Although humans and animals are concomitantly exposed to several mycotoxins, their combined ef-
fects are poorly characterised. This study investigated the interaction between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most
potent natural carcinogen, and deoxynivalenol (DON), which is among the most prevalent mycotoxins. AFB1 is
associated with hepatocellular carcinoma through its bioactivation by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes;
while DON induces ribotoxic stress leading to an alteration of intestinal, immune and hepatic functions. Analysis
of DNA damage biomarkers γ-H2AX and 53BP1 revealed that DON reduces the genotoxicity of AFB1. This effect
was mimicked with cycloheximide (CHX), another ribosome inhibitor; moreover DOM-1, a DON-derivative
lacking ribosome inhibition, did not affect DNA damage. Exposure to DON, alone or in combination with
AFB1, decreased the protein levels and/or activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in a time- and dose-dependent
manner. A similar reduction of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 activities was also observed with CHX. Altogether, these
results revealed an original interaction between DON and AFB1, DON inhibiting the genotoxicity of AFB1. The underlying mechanism involves ribosome inhibition by DON and the subsequent impairment of CYP450s,
responsible for the bioactivation of AFB1. This work highlights the importance of studying mycotoxins not only
individually but also in mixture and of considering food contaminants as part of the exposome