1. Cyprocide selectively kills nematodes via cytochrome P450 bioactivation
- Author
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Jessica Knox, Andrew R. Burns, Brittany Cooke, Savina R. Cammalleri, Megan Kitner, Justin Ching, Jack M. P. Castelli, Emily Puumala, Jamie Snider, Emily Koury, J. B. Collins, Salma Geissah, James J. Dowling, Erik C. Andersen, Igor Stagljar, Leah E. Cowen, Mark Lautens, Inga Zasada, and Peter J. Roy
- Subjects
Science - Abstract
Abstract Left unchecked, plant-parasitic nematodes have the potential to devastate crops globally. Highly effective but non-selective nematicides are justifiably being phased-out, leaving farmers with limited options for managing nematode infestation. Here, we report our discovery of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether scaffold called Cyprocide that selectively kills nematodes including diverse species of plant-parasitic nematodes. Cyprocide is bioactivated into a lethal reactive electrophilic metabolite by specific nematode cytochrome P450 enzymes. Cyprocide fails to kill organisms beyond nematodes, suggesting that the targeted lethality of this pro-nematicide derives from P450 substrate selectivity. Our findings demonstrate that Cyprocide is a selective nematicidal scaffold with broad-spectrum activity that holds the potential to help safeguard our global food supply.
- Published
- 2024
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