Efficient Target-Site Assay of Chemicals for Melanin Biosynthesis Inhibition of Magnaporthe grisea

A rapid and efficient assay to determine melanin biosynthesis inhibition of Magnaporthe grisea, a causal agent of the rice blast, by chemicals was developed. Wells in 24-well plates were loaded with spore suspension of the fungus and three known melanin biosynthesis inhibitors of KC10017, tricyclazole, and carpropamid. Subsequent color changes of mycelia and culture media in the wells were observed 7 days after incubation. The wells treated with KC10017 (an inhibitor of polyketide synthesis step and/or pentaketide cyclization step) became colorless, whereas tricyclazole (an inhibitor of 1, 3, 8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase) or carpropamid (an inhibitor of scytalone dehydratase)-treated wells exhibited red color. They did not show any inhibitory effect on fungal growth. The inhibition of reaction steps prior to 1, 3, 6, 8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene formation was easily determined by colorless medium and mycelia. However, it was impossible to distinguish between inhibition of reduction steps and inhibition of dehydration steps by colors of the cultures. It was accomplished through HPLC analysis of the melanin biosynthesis-involving pentaketide metabolites accumulated by the inhibitors. Through screening of a number of synthetic chemicals using the in vitro assay, we could find a novel chemical group of melanin biosynthesis inhibitor.