The natural herbicide rhein targets photosystem I
Abstract The natural anthraquinone rhein has been identified as a novel herbicide with a potentially new mode of action using a generative AI system for functional molecules discovery. Its herbicidal activity was light-dependent and resulted in rapid burndown symptoms on leaves of treated plants. Rh...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83891-6 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The natural anthraquinone rhein has been identified as a novel herbicide with a potentially new mode of action using a generative AI system for functional molecules discovery. Its herbicidal activity was light-dependent and resulted in rapid burndown symptoms on leaves of treated plants. Rhein interferes with photosynthesis by acting as an electron diverter at the level of photosystem I (PSI). The redox potential of rhein suggests that it accepts electrons between P700 and NADP+ of PSI. This is consistent with the redox potential of rhein that enables it to accept electrons from flavoproteins. Ferredoxin-NAPD+ reductase is a flavoprotein with a redox potential near that of rhein. Thus, it is currently hypothesized that rhein acts as an electron acceptor at or near the PSI Ferredoxin-NAPD+ reductase to form a radical and generate reactive oxygen species that drive the light-dependent herbicidal effect which is observed in treated plants from greenhouse trials. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |