Selective polysaccharide monooxygenase inhibitors for fungal crop pathogen control
A target-based drug discovery platform targeting a unique polysaccharide monooxygenase (PMO) essential for infection by Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease. The approach aims to identify broad-spectrum antifungal inhibitors applicable to pathogens of grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, and other food crops.
Overview
This program addresses fungal crop diseases by targeting a specific enzyme, polysaccharide monooxygenase (PMO), that plant pathogens use to penetrate host tissues. The lead target, MoPMO9A from Magnaporthe oryzae (the rice blast fungus), has been validated through gene deletion studies showing significantly reduced fungal infectivity when the enzyme is absent. Because similar PMOs are predicted to exist in fungi that infect grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, and other food crops, selective inhibitors discovered against the Magnaporthe enzyme may be broadly applicable across multiple crop protection challenges.
The value proposition for industry partners is a novel, mechanistically defined antifungal target with a ready high-throughput screening (HTS) assay, enabling the discovery of small-molecule leads for crop protection applications.
Technical specifications
- Target: MoPMO9A, a catalytically and structurally characterized polysaccharide monooxygenase from Magnaporthe oryzae
- Validation data: Catalytic activity profiling, structural studies, and gene deletion experiments demonstrating loss of infectivity
- Assay format: High-throughput screening (HTS)-compatible assay designed for compound library screening
- Screening resource: Planned screening against the UC Berkeley Drug Discovery Center's chemical library
- Scope expansion: Evaluation of homologous PMOs in other fungal pathogens to assess selectivity and broad-spectrum potential
- Planned downstream work: Testing of identified inhibitor candidates on infected rice plants to confirm in vivo activity
Technology readiness level
The target and assay are at an early discovery stage (TRL 3-4). The MoPMO9A enzyme has been rigorously characterized catalytically and structurally, and its essential role in fungal virulence has been confirmed through genetic deletion studies. A high-throughput-compatible assay has been designed but not yet screened against a compound library. Near-term validation activities include conducting the chemical library screen, profiling compound selectivity across related fungal PMOs, and initiating plant-based infection studies with lead molecules. The program is positioned for sponsored research or collaborative partnerships to advance from target validation toward lead identification.
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is a comprehensive public research university of global scale, known for cross‑disciplinary inquiry and a high‑intensity research culture. Industry engages on campus through shared user facilities, project‑based collaborations, and embedded innovation spaces, with proximity to a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory enabling joint programs and access to specialized instrumentation. Its Bay Area location connects partners to deep talent pipelines and a dense startup ecosystem, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration alongside regional suppliers and investors. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and DARPA. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, sponsored research, material transfer agreements, and startup formation, complemented by accelerators and proof‑of‑concept resources.
delivered to your inbox.