Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3

The plant growth regulator zaxinone is essential for proper rice growth and development. Additionally, zaxinone and its two synthetic mimics, MiZax3 and MiZax5, have been shown to significantly promote crop growth and reduce infestation by the root parasitic plant Striga by suppressing strigolactone...

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Main Authors: Jian You Wang, Muhammad Jamil, Lamis M. Tareq Berqdar, Ikuo Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Ota, Tadao Asami, Salim Al-Babili
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1631066/full
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author Jian You Wang
Muhammad Jamil
Lamis M. Tareq Berqdar
Ikuo Takahashi
Tsuyoshi Ota
Tadao Asami
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
author_facet Jian You Wang
Muhammad Jamil
Lamis M. Tareq Berqdar
Ikuo Takahashi
Tsuyoshi Ota
Tadao Asami
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
author_sort Jian You Wang
collection DOAJ
description The plant growth regulator zaxinone is essential for proper rice growth and development. Additionally, zaxinone and its two synthetic mimics, MiZax3 and MiZax5, have been shown to significantly promote crop growth and reduce infestation by the root parasitic plant Striga by suppressing strigolactone (SL) production, highlighting their potential for field application. Here, we developed 4 new MiZax through structural modifications of the methoxybenzene ring in MiZax3 and evaluated their effects on plant growth and SL exudation. These newly developed mimics enhanced rice growth and reduced SL release without compromising the bioactivity of the lead compound MiZax3. Our findings underscore their potential to guide future chemical design efforts aimed at exploring zaxinone biology.
format Article
id doaj-art-9e7c69e2b4874d6ca81ebe91933ac7bd
institution Kabale University
issn 1664-462X
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj-art-9e7c69e2b4874d6ca81ebe91933ac7bd2025-08-20T03:28:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-07-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16310661631066Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3Jian You Wang0Muhammad Jamil1Lamis M. Tareq Berqdar2Ikuo Takahashi3Tsuyoshi Ota4Tadao Asami5Salim Al-Babili6Salim Al-Babili7Salim Al-Babili8The BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaThe BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaThe BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaKihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanKihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanKihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanThe BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaPlant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Excellence – Sustainable Food Security, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaThe plant growth regulator zaxinone is essential for proper rice growth and development. Additionally, zaxinone and its two synthetic mimics, MiZax3 and MiZax5, have been shown to significantly promote crop growth and reduce infestation by the root parasitic plant Striga by suppressing strigolactone (SL) production, highlighting their potential for field application. Here, we developed 4 new MiZax through structural modifications of the methoxybenzene ring in MiZax3 and evaluated their effects on plant growth and SL exudation. These newly developed mimics enhanced rice growth and reduced SL release without compromising the bioactivity of the lead compound MiZax3. Our findings underscore their potential to guide future chemical design efforts aimed at exploring zaxinone biology.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1631066/fullzaxinonezaxinone mimicsMiZaxapocarotenoidsstrigolactonesrice (Oryza sativa)
spellingShingle Jian You Wang
Muhammad Jamil
Lamis M. Tareq Berqdar
Ikuo Takahashi
Tsuyoshi Ota
Tadao Asami
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
Salim Al-Babili
Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
Frontiers in Plant Science
zaxinone
zaxinone mimics
MiZax
apocarotenoids
strigolactones
rice (Oryza sativa)
title Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
title_full Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
title_fullStr Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
title_full_unstemmed Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
title_short Structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics MiZax3
title_sort structural substitutions on the methoxybenzene ring retain the biological activity of the zaxinone mimics mizax3
topic zaxinone
zaxinone mimics
MiZax
apocarotenoids
strigolactones
rice (Oryza sativa)
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1631066/full
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