Structure of prumycin

Importance of prumycin produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SD-32 in biocontrol against cucumber powdery mildew disease

BACKGROUND

Powdery mildew disease of cucurbits is caused mainly by Podosphaera fusca, which is one of the most important limiting factors in cucurbit production worldwide. Previously we reported that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biocontrol strain SD-32 produces C₁₇ bacillomycin D and [Ile 2002]surfactin, and that these metabolites play important roles in SD-32's biocontrol over cucumber gray mold disease. Our further investigation demonstrated that the culture broth and its supernatant suppressed cucumber powdery mildew disease in greenhouse experiments. However, the active principle(s) remained unknown.

RESULTS

The active compound was isolated from the culture supernatant after anti-powdery mildew disease activity-guided purification and identified as prumycin. Prumycin significantly suppressed the disease, whereas bacillomycin D and [Ile 2002]surfactin did not. Prumycin did not induce the expression of plant defense genes (PR1a and VSP1), suggesting that it does not act via plant defense response. Light microscopic observations of prumycin-treated cucumber cotyledon suggested that prumycin inhibits the conidial germination of P. fusca.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that prumycin is a major factor in SD-32's suppression of cucumber powdery mildew disease. Our findings shed light for the first time on prumycin's role in biocontrol by Bacillus against this disease. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Splendid Gift from the Earth: The Origins and Impact of the Avermectins (Nobel Lecture)

Japanese soil was the origin of one of the most important drugs of the world: ivermectin. No other drug has such importance for the health of millions of people, particularly in the poor regions of the world. The discovery of the parent compounds of the avermectines is described first hand by S. Ōmura.

Satoshi Ōmura: in pursuit of nature's bounty

Professor Satoshi Omura has spent over 40 years searching for bioactive compounds in naturally occurring microorganisms, discovering more than 330 biomedically and commercially significant compounds in the process. The discovery, development and delivery of the drug ivermectin has pioneered the way for subsequent partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as international collaborations and drug donation programmes. It has involved a variety of ground-breaking steps, providing a curative drug that will help rid Africa and the world of at least one of the most devastating of all human diseases, onchocerciasis. It has also improved the health of pets and livestock around the globe, and encouraged development of a community-based delivery mechanism that could herald a revolution in public health care in Africa.

Philosophy of new drug discovery

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The antibiotic cerulenin, a novel tool for biochemistry as an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis

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