These sphingoid-like alkaloids (AAL Toxin TA1; FW = 521.64 g/mL; CAS 79367-52-5; AAL Toxin TA2; FW = 521.65 g/mol; CAS 79367-51-4) from the ascomycete fungus Alternaria alternata inhibit ceramide synthase, an early biochemical event in the animal diseases associated with consumption of Fusarium moniliforme-contaminated corn. Because free sphingoid bases are precursors to plant “ceramides,” their accumulation suggests that the primary biochemical lesion is inhibition of de novo ceramide synthesis and re-acylation of free sphingoid bases. Target(s): ceramide synthase, or sphingosine N-acyltransferase.
