METHODS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF INHIBITORS OF ADENYLOSUCCINATE SYNTHASE AND CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE AS ANTIBIOTICS

摘要

The present inventors discovered that adenylosuccinate synthase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, inhibition of adenylosuccinate synthase expression in fungi results drastically reduces pathogenicity. The present inventors also discovered that a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, inhibition of PDE2 expression in Magnaportha grisea severely reduces pathogenicity of the fungus. Thus, adenylosuccinate synthase and PDE2 are useful targets in methods for identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals and fungicides.