| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Barsottini, Mario R. O.
[1, 2]
;
Copsey, Alice
[1]
;
Young, Luke
[1]
;
Baroni, Renata M.
[2]
;
Cordeiro, Artur T.
[3]
;
Pereira, Goncalo A. G.
[2]
;
Moore, Anthony L.
[1]
Total Authors: 7
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sussex, Sch Life Sci, Biochem & Biomed, Brighton BN1 9QG, E Sussex - England
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Genom & BioEnergy Lab, Campinas - Brazil
[3] Brazilian Ctr Res Energy & Mat, Brazilian Biosci Natl Lab, Campinas - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY; v. 3, n. 1 MAY 25 2020. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 2 |
| Abstract | |
Moniliophthora perniciosa is a fungal pathogen and causal agent of the witches' broom disease of cocoa, a threat to the chocolate industry and to the economic and social security in cocoa-planting countries. The membrane-bound enzyme alternative oxidase (MpAOX) is crucial for pathogen survival; however a lack of information on the biochemical properties of MpAOX hinders the development of novel fungicides. In this study, we purified and characterised recombinant MpAOX in dose-response assays with activators and inhibitors, followed by a kinetic characterization both in an aqueous environment and in physiologically-relevant proteoliposomes. We present structure-activity relationships of AOX inhibitors such as colletochlorin B and analogues which, aided by an MpAOX structural model, indicates key residues for protein-inhibitor interaction. We also discuss the importance of the correct hydrophobic environment for MpAOX enzymatic activity. We envisage that such results will guide the future development of AOX-targeting antifungal agents against M. perniciosa, an important outcome for the chocolate industry. Barsottini et al. characterize the alternative oxidase (MpAOX), which is crucial for the survival of Moniliophthora perniciosa, a fungal pathogen of cocoa. They identify key residues for the interactions between this enzyme and its inhibitors, guiding the future development of AOX-targeting antifungal agents that would benefit the chocolate industry. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/12852-2 - Testing of novel AOX inhibitors targeted at the cacao pathogen Monoliophthora perniciosa |
| Grantee: | Mario Ramos de Oliveira Barsottini |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/15339-6 - Characterization of the inhibition of the enzyme alternative oxidase (AOX) by aromatic amides and development of high-throughput screening platform to search for novel inhibitors of the AOX from the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa |
| Grantee: | Mario Ramos de Oliveira Barsottini |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 15/07653-5 - Discovery and development of new compounds aiming to control Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of Witches' Broom Disease of cocoa, based on the inhibition of the cellular respiration |
| Grantee: | Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/13319-6 - Identification of MpPR1-I protein ligands and structural and functional analyses of MpPR-1s of Moniliophthora perniciosa in vitro |
| Grantee: | Renata Moro Baroni |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/10498-4 - Investigation of strategies of adaptation to the pathogenic life style of fungi from the Moniliophthora genus at various levels of biological organizations: species, biotypes, and geographic lineages |
| Grantee: | Antonio Vargas de Oliveira Figueira |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |