Scientists found molecules that block the enzymes controlling phosphorus in seeds
Vasegh SE, Cummer R, Meneses J, Kok LV, Finn LM
Plant Signaling
Phytases are the invisible gatekeepers of phosphorus in every grain of wheat, rye, or corn you grow; understanding how to block them precisely could lead to crops that release nutrients more efficiently, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers in your garden beds.
Plants, fungi, and our own bodies all use a family of enzymes called phytases to unlock phosphorus stored in seeds and cells. Scientists found two modified versions of a natural plant molecule that act like a key that fits the lock but can't be turned, blocking the enzyme without being broken down. One of these molecules works across plants, yeast, and mold, making it a sharp new tool for studying how living things manage their phosphorus supply.
Key Findings
IT5 and IT6 inhibit the mammalian phytase MINPP1 with nanomolar IC50 values, meaning they work at concentrations millions of times lower than common inhibitors.
IT6 blocks phytases from wheat, baker's yeast, and Aspergillus niger, demonstrating cross-kingdom inhibitory activity spanning plant, fungal, and mammalian enzymes.
Both IT5 and IT6 resist hydrolysis by MINPP1 while native substrates IP5 and IP6 are readily broken down, confirming they are stable, nonhydrolyzable inhibitors.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers discovered two sulfur-modified versions of a natural plant molecule (inositol thiophosphates) that potently block phytases, the enzymes responsible for breaking down phosphorus stores in seeds, fungi, and mammalian cells. These inhibitors work across kingdoms, hitting phytases in wheat, yeast, and a common mold, and could serve as precise chemical tools for studying how phosphorus is released and recycled in living systems.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Inositol Thiophosphates as Inhibitors of Mammalian, Plant, and Fungal Phytases.
Inositol phosphates constitute a conserved family of signaling molecules that regulate a wide range of cellular processes such as energy metabolism, calcium release, and signal transduction. In mam...
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