Gliotoxin, an Immunosuppressive Fungal Metabolite, Primes Plant Immunity: Evidence from -Tomato Interaction.

Beneficial interaction of members of the fungal genus with plant roots primes the plant immune system, promoting systemic resistance to pathogen infection. Some strains of produce gliotoxin, a fungal epidithiodioxopiperazine (ETP)-type secondary metabolite that is toxic to animal cells. It induces apoptosis, prevents NF-κB activation via the inhibition of the proteasome, and has immunosuppressive properties.