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A small molecule species specifically inhibits F usarium myosin I
Author(s) -
Zhang Chengqi,
Chen Yun,
Yin Yanni,
Ji HuanHong,
Shim WonBo,
Hou Yiping,
Zhou Mingguo,
Li Xiangdong,
Ma Zhonghua
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12711
Subject(s) - biology , myosin , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary F usarium head blight ( FHB ) caused by F usarium graminearum is a devastating disease of cereal crops worldwide. Recently, a novel fungicide JS 399‐19 has been launched into the marketplace to manage FHB . It is compelling that JS 399‐19 shows highly inhibitory activity towards some F usarium species, but not to other fungi, indicating that it is an environmentally compatible fungicide. To explore the mode of action of this species‐specific compound, we conducted a whole‐genome transcript profiling together with genetic and biochemical assays, and discovered that JS 399‐19 targets the myosin I of F . graminearum ( FgM yo1). FgM yo1 is essential for F . graminearum growth. A point mutation S217L or E420K in FgM yo1 is responsible for F . graminearum resistance to JS 399‐19. In addition, transformation of F . graminearum with the myosin I gene of M agnaporthe grisea , the causal agent of rice blast, also led to JS 399‐19 resistance. JS 399‐19 strongly inhibits the ATP ase activity of the wild‐type FgM yo1, but not the mutated FgM yo1 S217L/E420K . These results provide us a new insight into the design of species‐specific antifungal compounds. Furthermore, our strategy can be applied to identify novel drug targets in various pathogenic organisms.