Azoxystrobin

Azoxystrobin was discovered during research on Oudemansiella mucida and Strobilurus tenacellus, which are small white or brown coloured mushrooms commonly found in the Czech forests. Not bigger than a few centimeters, these mushrooms attracted attention of scientists because of their remarkable ability to defend themselves. Their defense mechanism is based on the secretion of two substances, strobilurin A and oudemansin A. These substances allow them to keep their competitors at a distance and even destroy them when in range. Observations of this mechanism led directly to research that resulted in azoxystrobin.

Activity

Azoxystrobin After synthesizing experimental analogs of both substances (over 1400 were tested), azoxystrobin was found to be the most active and stable combination. The pharmacophore of azoxystrobine is the β-methoxyacrylate portion, which is present in the active compounds from both Oudemansiella mucida and Strobilurus tenacellus. Azoxystrobin binds very tightly to the Qo site of Complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby ultimately preventing the generation of ATP.