Triticone A: a novel bioactive lactam with potential as a molecular probe.

Abstract

Triticone A is one member of a family of novel compounds which are spirocyclic lactams produced by several plant pathogenic fungi including Drechslera tritici repentis on wheat. It undergoes racemization to form triticone B and when tested, the enantiomeric mixture causes chlorosis and necrosis on a wide range of plants. Fluorescein diacetate treated protoplasts in conjunction with various triticone treatments allowed for accurate quantitation of the biological activity of the toxin. Various physiological functions of the wheat cell are impaired including the Hill and CO2 fixation reactions in photosynthesis. In addition, triticone A inhibits enzymes that have SH functional groups as part of their active site, eg., the protease-ficin. Neither triticone C or D had any activity in the enzyme or protoplast assays. It is apparent that triticone A has some potential as a molecular probe in a variety of biological systems.

• Authors: D Kenfield, S Strobel, F Sugawara, D Berglund, G Strobel
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 157 Issue 1 Pg. 174-82 (Nov 30 1988) ISSN: 0006-291X [Print] United States
• PMID: 3196330 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Lactams
• Molecular Probes
• Mycotoxins
• Sulfhydryl Reagents
• triticone A
• triticone C
• Esterases

Topics

• Biological Assay
• Esterases (metabolism)
• Fungi (analysis)
• Lactams (pharmacology)
• Molecular Probes
• Mycotoxins (pharmacology)
• Necrosis
• Plants (drug effects)
• Sulfhydryl Reagents