Optimization of the KK5 Scaffold and Biological Evaluation of KK5 Derivatives to Identify Potent Strigolactone Biosynthesis Inhibitors

  • J Agric Food Chem. 2025 Jun 18;73(24):15389-15398. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01991.
Kojiro Kawada  1  2 ,  Ikuo Takahashi  2 ,  Tatsuo Saito  3 ,  Takuma Inayama  3 ,  Yoshiya Seto  4 ,  Takahito Nomura  5 ,  Yasuyuki Sasaki  1 ,  Tadao Asami  2 ,  Shunsuke Yajima  1 ,  Shinsaku Ito  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku , Tokyo156-8502, Japan.
  • 2. Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo113-8657, Japan.
  • 3. Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku , Tokyo156-8502, Japan.
  • 4. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.
  • 5. Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 350 mine-machi, Utsunomiya , Tochigi321-8505, Japan.
PMID: 40480961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01991
Abstract

Strigolactones (SLs) are germination stimulants for root-parasitic weeds, such as Striga spp., Orobanche spp., and Phelipanche spp., which cause significant damage to agricultural crops. Manipulation of SL biosynthesis using SL biosynthesis inhibitors can suppress the damage caused by these root-parasitic weeds. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to optimize the structure of the previously reported SL biosynthesis inhibitor KK5 and evaluate the effects of its derivatives on SL biosynthesis. A structure-activity relationship study revealed that 4-(2-phenoxyethoxy)-1-phenyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butanone (KeIKK5) inhibited 4-deoxyorobanchol biosynthesis in rice more potently than KK5. Additionally, germination assays revealed that KeIKK5 treatment inhibited the germination of root-parasitic weeds. Overall, our data highlight KeIKK5 as a potent SL biosynthesis inhibitor that suppresses the damage caused by root-parasitic weeds.

Keywords
KK5 derivatives; KeIKK5; root parasitic weed; strigolactone; structure−activity relationship.
Products