5-Methoxyindole, a Chemical Homolog of Melatonin, Adversely Affects the Phytopathogenic Fungus <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
<i>Fusarium graminearum</i> is a destructive fungal pathogen that threatens the production and quality of wheat, and controlling this pathogen is a significant challenge. As the cost-effective homolog of melatonin, 5-methoxyindole showed strong activity against <i>F. graminearum.&l...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/20/10991 |
| Summary: | <i>Fusarium graminearum</i> is a destructive fungal pathogen that threatens the production and quality of wheat, and controlling this pathogen is a significant challenge. As the cost-effective homolog of melatonin, 5-methoxyindole showed strong activity against <i>F. graminearum.</i> In the present study, our results showed the strong adverse activity of 5-methoxyindole against <i>F. graminearum</i> by inhibiting its growth, formation, and conidia germination. In addition, 5-methoxyindole could induce malformation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and cell death in <i>F. graminearum</i> hyphae and conidia. In response to 5-methoxyindole, <i>F. graminearum</i> genes involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species were significantly downregulated. Overall, these findings reveal the mechanism of antifungal action of melatonin-homolog 5-methoxyindole. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that a novel melatonin homolog confers strong antifungal activity against <i>F. graminearum</i>, and 5-methoxyindole is a potential compound for protecting wheat plants from <i>F. graminearum</i> infection. |
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| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |