Analysis for melanin biosynthesis regulated by copper transport mechanism in phytopathogenic fungi

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15845
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: Ryukoku University
• Principal Investigator: HARATA KEN 龍谷大学, 農学部, 実験助手 (40795184)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 植物病原糸状菌 / メラニン生合成 / 病原性 / 農薬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Melanin biosynthesis is required for the penetration into host plants in a phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare. Laccase participates in oxidation of 1,8- dihydroxynaphthalene in the final step of melanin biosynthesis and copper ions is essential for driving its activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying copper ions transport to the laccase remain unclear. Here, we found that a copper transporter pathway consisting Ict1 and Ccc2 is involved in melanin biosynthesis by regulating laccase activity in C. orbiculare. Moreover, this mechanism is also conserved in a rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae.

Free Research Field

植物保護科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

植物病原糸状菌である炭疽病菌といもち病菌のメラニン生合成を阻害する農薬は数多く開発されており、農業現場で基幹剤として使用されている。本研究で見出した知見は新規メラニン生合成阻害剤のターゲットとなることが期待される。