A volatile lactone of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, pathogen of European ash dieback, inhibits host germination

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Apr 22;53(17):4346-9. doi: 10.1002/anie.201402290. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Abstract

The largely unknown secondary metabolism of the plant pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus was investigated by use of the CLSA method. A set of volatile lactones was identified by GC/MS. The lactones were synthesized and used in bioassays in which one of the compounds was found to be a strong germination inhibitor for ash seeds, causing necroses in the plant tissue.

Keywords: Fraxinus excelsior; Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus; ash dieback; lactones; plant pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascomycota / pathogenicity*
  • Fraxinus / drug effects*
  • Fraxinus / microbiology*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Germination / drug effects*
  • Lactones / isolation & purification
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology*

Substances

  • Lactones