Perillaldehyde Functions as a Potential Antifungal Agent by Triggering Metacaspase-Independent Apoptosis in Botrytis cinerea

Comprehensive Review of Perilla frutescens: Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Mechanisms, and Industrial Applications in Food and Health Products

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., a multifunctional herbaceous plant, is widely used in traditional medicine and cuisine due to its rich array of bioactive compounds. To date, many key phytochemicals in P. frutescens have been identified, including volatile terpenoids (perillaldehyde, limonene,), flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), and phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid derivatives), which exhibit significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, and blood sugar-lowering effects. Studies have shown that volatile oils, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in P. frutescens exert their effects in various experimental models. In food and industrial applications, P. frutescens shows innovative potential in functional foods, natural preservatives, and novel food additives, effectively extending food shelf life and providing antimicrobial protection. Moreover, research on the biology and genetic improvement of P. frutescens has provided new approaches to enhance its yield and bioactive content. Finally, this paper also discusses the safety and standardization issues of the plant, providing theoretical support for its widespread application.

Perillaldehyde ameliorates sepsis-associated acute kidney injury via inhibiting HSP90AA1-mediated ferroptosis and pyroptosis: Molecular structure and protein interaction of HSP90AA1

Heat shock protein 90α (HSP90AA1) is a molecular chaperone involved in a variety of cellular processes. Special attention is paid to how perillaldehyde ameliorates kidney injury by inhibiting HSP90AA1-mediated iron and pyrotoxicity, and in-depth analysis of the molecular structure and protein interactions of HSP90AA-1. The interaction between perillaldehyde and HSP90AA1 and the effect of perillaldehyde on the molecular structure of HSP90AA1 were analyzed by molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance technique. Western blot and immunohistochemical results showed that perillaldehyde could decrease the expression of HSP90AA1 and change its distribution in the kidney. Molecular docking and surface plasmonic resonance experiments revealed the high affinity binding between perillaldehyde and HSP90AA1, and further analysis showed that perillaldehyde could induce the conformational change of HSP90AA1, thereby inhibiting its function.

Plant secondary metabolites-mediated plant defense against bacteria and fungi pathogens

Plant diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and fungi are major threats to both wild plants and crops. To counteract these threats, plants have evolved various defense mechanisms, including the production of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs). These compounds, such as terpenoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and glucosinolates, offer a versatile, efficient, and cost-effective means of pathogen resistance. The traditional pathogen management methods relying on synthetic microbicides are often environment unfriendly. In contrast, PSMs provide promising alternative way due to their high efficiency and environmental benefits. This article reviews the categories, biosynthetic pathways, mechanisms of actions, and the commercialization of the PSMs to enhance our understanding of their pathogen resistance capabilities. The goal is to develop sustainable disease management strategies using PSM-based bactericides and fungicides.

Lipopeptide C17 Fengycin B Exhibits a Novel Antifungal Mechanism by Triggering Metacaspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Fusarium oxysporum

Fusarium wilt is a worldwide soil-borne fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum that causes serious damage to agricultural products. Therefore, preventing and treating fusarium wilt is of great significance. In this study, we purified ten single lipopeptide fengycin components from Bacillus subtilis FAJT-4 and found that C17 fengycin B inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum FJAT-31362. We observed early apoptosis hallmarks, including reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and phosphatidylserine externalization in C17 fengycin B-treated F. oxysporum cells. Further data showed that C17 fengycin B induces cell apoptosis in a metacaspase-dependent manner. Importantly, we found that the expression of autophagy-related genes in the TOR signaling pathway was significantly upregulated; simultaneously, the accumulation of acidic autophagy vacuoles in F. oxysporum cell indicated that the autophagy pathway was activated during apoptosis induced by C17 fengycin B. Therefore, this study provides new insights into the antifungal mechanism of fengycin.

Role of BcSfb3, the subunit of COPII vesicles, in fungal development and pathogenicity, ER-phagy and autophagy in the gray mold fungus Botrytis cinerea

Cytoplasmic coat protein complex II (COPII) plays a multifunctional role in the transport of newly synthesized proteins, autophagosome formation, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-ER-phagy. However, the molecular mechanisms of the COPII subunit in ER-phagy in plant pathogens remain unknown. Here, we identified the subunit of COPII vesicles (BcSfb3) and explored the importance of BcSfb3 in Botrytis cinerea. BcSfb3 deletion affected vegetative growth, conidiation, conidial morphology, and plasma membrane integrity. We confirmed that the increase in infectious hyphal growth was delayed in the ΔBcSfb3 mutant, reducing its pathogenicity in the host plant. Furthermore, the ΔBcSfb3 mutant was sensitive to ER stress, which caused massive ER expansion and induced the formation of ER whorls that were taken up into the vacuole. Further examination demonstrated that BcSfb3 deletion caused ER stress initiated by unfolded protein response, and which led to the promotion of ER-phagy and autophagy that participate in sclerotia formation. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that BcSfb3 plays an important role in fungal development, pathogenesis, ER-phagy and autophagy in B. cinerea.