title: Antimicrobial effects of clofibrate on the wheat pathogen Fusarium culmorum.
abstract: The biological effects of clofibrate (ethyl p-chlorophenoxy-isobutyric acid) on the growth and metabolism of the soil-borne wheat pathogen Fusarium culmorum, were examined. In mid log phase (16 hr) cultures both phenylalanine uptake and secondary spore production were stimulated at 0.1 microM concentration; the net sterol content was reduced 50% at 0.35 microM; oxygen uptake was stimulated at 0.1 mM; growth was inhibited 50% at 0.1 mM concentration. Both phenylalanine and oxygen uptake were inhibited at 1.0 mM and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was reduced 50% at 50 mM concentration of clofibrate. The data indicate that clofibrate affects a number of biological and enzyme systems. The inhibitory effect on the growth of the pathogen suggest a potential use of hypolipidemic agents like clofibrate as an antifungal agent for seed protection.
mesh_terms: D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002994:Clofibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D013261:Sterols / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D013261:Sterols; D010649:Phenylalanine; D002994:Clofibrate