Abstract
The INFIRE project aims to develop new compounds for the control of rice disease caused by the fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzae, which causes annual crop losses sufficient to feed 60 million people. The main objective is to identify new molecules capable of interfering with ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death essential for the pathogen's virulence. The project will pursue three approaches: i) suppression of lipid peroxidation using natural and synthetic antioxidants; ii) modulation of iron availability through chelators; iii) inhibition of iron-dependent enzymes such as NADPH oxidases. The research will lead to the identification of new classes of compounds able to inhibit the pathogen's virulence, with an initial focus on natural compounds. The project's results may find application in the agrochemical field, offering new sustainable solutions for the protection of rice crops.
Results achieved
The project has clarified the role of iron homeostasis and ferroptosis in appressorium development in P. oryzae, with a view to translating this understanding into molecules capable of interfering with this process. A cell-free biochemical assay was developed and optimized for the evaluation of NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity in fungal extracts, providing a methodological framework for the study of NOX-dependent redox processes involved in ferroptosis. The biological evaluation of natural compounds of dietary origin was also initiated in advanced cell-based models, with the aim of characterizing their ability to modulate ferroptosis through the control of lipid peroxidation and iron homeostasis. The results have led to peer-reviewed open-access publications, including the mini-review "Antioxidant-mediated suppression of ferroptosis in P. oryzae: a novel approach to rice blast management for sustainable rice production" (Front. Plant Sci., 2024). Overall, the project has laid the foundations for the development and study of new classes of bioactive molecules of potential interest for the agrochemical sector.Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Francesca Danesi
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari
Coordinatore:
Università degli Studi di MILANO(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 80.398,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
12/10/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
