Protein biosynthesis, inhibition fungicides

There are two commercial fungicides, the antibiotics blasticidin S and kasugamycin, that act via the inhibition of protein biosynthesis (Figure 4.19). Blasticidin S is a fermentation product obtained from cultures of Streptomyces griseochromogenes, and has specific activity in the control of P. oryzae, similar to kasugamycin, a secondary metabolite of S. kasugaensis. However, much of the earlier work on mode of action was carried out using another antibiotic, cycloheximide. 

There are numerous examples of the inhibition of biosynthesis by fungicides. Some fungicidal secondary metabolites, like cyclohexi-mide and blasticidine, interfere with synthesis of peptide bonds at the ribosomal site (2). Another, kasugamycine, influences aminoacyl-t-RNA/ribosome interactions (3). Finally, another mechanism inhibiting protein biosynthesis is realized on the DNA/RNA- level by the... 

The fungicides inhibited protein and nucleic acid synthesis. RNA production was particularly affected. There was some evidence of a reduction in nuclear division. The primary effect of metalaxyl and furalaxyl probably involves impaired biosynthesis of RNA so that mitosis is inhibited (Kerkenaar, 1981 Fischer and Hayes, 1982). 

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