Work

Potential target responsible for phenazine‐1‐carboxamide inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles carrying dsRNA

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) is a new fungicide; however, the number of its inhibitory targets is unknown. The target genes were identified by high-throughput screening, reverse molecular docking, drug-target binding, molecular dynamics, RNA interference and nanotechnology. RESULTS: The results identified three novel target genes among 400 differentially expressed genes. These genes were then subjected to a series of analyses to determine their potential as drug targets. This included evaluation of their hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and binding free energy. Additionally, the stability and flexibility of the target proteins were assessed using the GROMACS software, and the results indicated that they were stable. An RNA interference system was constructed to investigate the potential of these proteins as drug targets. An RNA interference system was constructed for the three novel target genes of PCN. The double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) were combined with nano and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) that significantly enhanced the control effect of dsRNA-PCN on Rhizoctonia solani and increased the adsorption of dsRNAs on the leaf surface. The growth of R. solani was slowed by dual treatment with dsRNA@MSNs. The dsP450-FAH treatment demonstrated the strongest effect, with the dsRNA@MSNs-treated group exhibiting a reduction of 50.43% compared to the control group and 44.44% compared to the PCN treatment. CONCLUSION: In this study, three novel target genes were identified, and their involvement in the inhibition of R. solani by PCN was confirmed through RNA interference and nanotechnology. The results provide a foundation for the development of novel biopesticides. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Source: Pest Management Science

DOI: 10.1002/ps.70348