Development of root gravitropism inhibitors from allelochemical research

Shindo Mitsuru, Iwata Takayuki, Nishimura Takeshi, Terao-Morita Miyo

doi:10.18978/jscrp.59.1_30

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Other Title

アレロケミカルの研究から植物根の重力屈性特異的阻害剤（BMA）の開発へ
アレロケミカルノケンキュウカラショクブツコンノジュウリョククッセイトクイテキソガイザイ(BMA)ノカイハツエ

Published: 2024

Resource Type: journal article

DOI

10.18978/jscrp.59.1_30

Publisher: The Japanese Society for Chemical Regulation of Plants

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<p>Allelopathy is one of the survival strategies employed by plants, and allelochemicals, which play a critical role, are expected to be useful compounds in plant physiology research tools, as well as lead compounds for pesticides and growth regulators. cis-Cinnamic acid, the active compound of cis-cinnamic acid glycosides isolated from Spiraea thunbergii, exhibits strong inhibitory effects on the elongation of plant roots. Our research group, consisting of plant physiologists and organic chemists, synthesized cis-cinnamic acid and developed a fluorescent probe through structure-activity relationship studies, revealing the root cap with high affinity for cis-cinnamic acid through molecular imaging experiments. Drawing inspiration from the inhibitory effect on gravitropism, we screened cis-cinnamic acid analogues and discovered ku-76 (2Z,4E-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid), which specifically inhibits gravitropism. Using this as a lead compound, we further modified its structure and successfully developed BMA ((Z)-4-((Z)-benzylidene)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)hex-2-en-5-ynoic acid), a potent inhibitor. Additionally, plant physiology experiments on auxin distribution suggest its involvement in the control of polar auxin transport.</p>

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