Methods for the identification of inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase as antibiotics

摘要

The present inventors have discovered that a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of PDE2 gene expression in Magnaportha grisea severely reduces the pathogenicity of the fungus. Thus, PDE2 is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PDE2 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides.