Inhibition of Fusarium graminearum growth and development by farnesol

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2008 Feb;279(2):259-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.01042.x. Epub 2008 Jan 14.

Abstract

The isoprenoid farnesol was previously shown to induce morphological features characteristic of apoptosis in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. This study demonstrates that under similar liquid media growth conditions, farnesol also triggers apoptosis in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. However, unlike A. nidulans, F. graminearum spores treated with farnesol exhibited altered germination patterns and most (>60%) lysed upon prolonged exposure. Given the economic importance of F. graminearum as a pathogen of small grains, this study proposes that farnesol may have potential value as an antifungal compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Farnesol / pharmacology*
  • Fusarium / drug effects*
  • Fusarium / growth & development*
  • Spores, Fungal / drug effects

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Farnesol