Allosteric inhibitors for selective herbicide development
Protyon introduces allosteric inhibitors targeting asparate transcarbamylase (ATC) to develop species-selective herbicides. These inhibitors promise to control plant growth with minimal impact on the soil microbiome and potential engineered crop resistance.
Overview
Protyon presents a novel approach to herbicide development through the use of allosteric inhibitors targeting asparate transcarbamylase (ATC), a crucial enzyme in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. This method aims to create species-selective herbicides that effectively inhibit plant root growth while maintaining minimal impact on non-target organisms, such as soil microbes. Additionally, engineered crops can be made resistant to these inhibitors through modifications of their native ATC, enhancing agricultural productivity and safety.
Technical specifications
- Allosteric inhibition: By targeting ATC, these inhibitors provide a mechanism for selective herbicide action.
- Species selectivity: A library of approximately 100 compounds demonstrates selectivity between plant species, outperforming current standards in root growth assays.
- Rapid development: Utilizes multicomponent reaction chemistry for quick exploration and synthesis of chemical variants, supported by structural biology and molecular modeling.
- Broad application: Potential for development into compounds with broad or narrow range plant activity.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at TRL 4, having been validated in lab settings with current assays demonstrating efficacy and selectivity. Further validation is planned through extensive screening and structural biology to refine compound activity and selectivity. The development process is ongoing, with a projected completion and further validation within one year.
About Protyon
Protyon is a Dutch healthtech company and a spin-out from the University of Groningen and the University Medical Centre Groningen. It has developed predictive software that utilizes computational molecular modeling and artificial intelligence to support clinical decision-making in cancer therapy. By creating 3D digital models based on the genetic code of cancer mutations, the company's platform predicts the effectiveness of targeted therapies by analyzing how small molecules interact with drug targets and associated mutations. This approach is designed to be distinct from traditional chemical research, offering high predictive power for identifying optimal treatment alternatives, particularly for patients with protein-linked mutations.
The technology is primarily applied to assist clinicians in choosing the most effective personalized treatment plans, aiming to enhance patient quality of life and reduce healthcare costs by avoiding ineffective medications. Beyond clinical support, Protyon serves the life sciences industry by de-risking drug development pipelines through the assessment of mutation impact on protein behavior, drug resistance, and patient cohort selection for clinical trials. The company also provides medically accredited educational programs for clinicians to improve understanding of molecular drivers in disease, further supporting the integration of structural insights into oncology and precision medicine workflows.
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