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A lipophilic cation protects crops against fungal pathogens by multiple modes of action

Author

Listed:
  • Gero Steinberg

    (University of Exeter
    University of Utrecht)

  • Martin Schuster

    (University of Exeter)

  • Sarah J. Gurr

    (University of Exeter
    University of Utrecht)

  • Tina A. Schrader

    (University of Exeter)

  • Michael Schrader

    (University of Exeter)

  • Mark Wood

    (University of Exeter)

  • Andy Early

    (University of Exeter)

  • Sreedhar Kilaru

    (University of Exeter)

Abstract

The emerging resistance of crop pathogens to fungicides poses a challenge to food security and compels discovery of new antifungal compounds. Here, we show that mono-alkyl lipophilic cations (MALCs) inhibit oxidative phosphorylation by affecting NADH oxidation in the plant pathogens Zymoseptoria tritici, Ustilago maydis and Magnaporthe oryzae. One of these MALCs, consisting of a dimethylsulfonium moiety and a long alkyl chain (C18-SMe2+), also induces production of reactive oxygen species at the level of respiratory complex I, thus triggering fungal apoptosis. In addition, C18-SMe2+ activates innate plant defense. This multiple activity effectively protects cereals against Septoria tritici blotch and rice blast disease. C18-SMe2+ has low toxicity in Daphnia magna, and is not mutagenic or phytotoxic. Thus, MALCs hold potential as effective and non-toxic crop fungicides.

Suggested Citation

  • Gero Steinberg & Martin Schuster & Sarah J. Gurr & Tina A. Schrader & Michael Schrader & Mark Wood & Andy Early & Sreedhar Kilaru, 2020. "A lipophilic cation protects crops against fungal pathogens by multiple modes of action," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14949-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14949-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Sreedhar Kilaru & Elena Fantozzi & Stuart Cannon & Martin Schuster & Thomas M. Chaloner & Celia Guiu-Aragones & Sarah J. Gurr & Gero Steinberg, 2022. "Zymoseptoria tritici white-collar complex integrates light, temperature and plant cues to initiate dimorphism and pathogenesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Martin Schuster & Sreedhar Kilaru & Gero Steinberg, 2024. "Azoles activate type I and type II programmed cell death pathways in crop pathogenic fungi," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.

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