Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of PDE2 gene expression in Magnaportha grisea severely reduces the pathogenicity of the fungus. Thus, PDE2 is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PDE2 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that a histidinol dehydrogenase (HIS4) is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity, Specifically, the inhibition of HIS4 gene expression in Magnaportha grisea severely reduces the pathogenicity of the fungus. Thus, HIS4 is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit HIS4 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably fungicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that adenylosuccinate synthase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of adenylosuccinate synthase gene expression in fungi results in drastically reduced pathogenicity. Thus, adenylosuccinate synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit adenylosuccinate synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that amidophosphoribosyltransferase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of amidophosphoribosyltransferase gene expression in fungi results in drastically reduced pathogenicity. Thus, amidophosphoribosyltransferase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit amidophosphoribosyltransferase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that ALS catalytic and regulatory subunits are essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of either ALS catalytic or regulatory subunit gene expression in fungi severely reduces growth and pathogenicity. Thus, ALS catalytic and regulatory subunits are useful as targets for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit ALS catalytic or regulatory subunit expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that mannosyltransferase is essential for normal fungal growth and pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of mannosyltransferase gene expression in fungi results in drastically reduced growth and pathogenicity. Thus, mannosyltransferase is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit mannosyltransferase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG) is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of porphobilinogen deaminase gene expression in fungi abolishes pathogenicity. Thus, porphobilinogen deaminase is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit porphobilinogen deaminase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Asparagine Synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Asparagine Synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, Asparagine Synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Asparagine Synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that fumarate reductase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of fumarate reductase gene expression in fungi results in drastically reduced pathogenicity. Thus, fumarate reductase is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit fumarate reductase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that ornithine carbamoyltransferase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of ornithine carbamoyltransferase gene expression in fungi eliminates pathogenicity. Thus, ornithine carbamoyltransferase is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit ornithine carbamoyltransferase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase gene expression in fungi results in drastically reduced pathogenicity. Thus, pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Threonine synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Threonine synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, Threonine synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Threonine synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase gene expression in fungi results in reduced pathogenicity (i.e. smaller, non-viable lesions). Thus, Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that histidinol-phosphatase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of histidinol-phosphatase gene expression in fungi results in small, non-sporulating lesions and reduced pathogenicity. Thus, histidinol-phosphatase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit histidinol-phosphatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 5-Aminolevulinate synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of 5-Aminolevulinate synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, 5-Aminolevulinate synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit 5-Aminolevulinate synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Chitin Synthase 2 is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Chitin Synthase 2 gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, Chitin Synthase 2 can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Chitin Synthase 2 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene expression in fungi results in an inability to form lesions and non-pathogenicity. Thus, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Putrescine Aminopropyltransferase (SPE3) is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Putrescine Aminopropyltransferase gene expression in fungi results in reduced pathogenicity on their host organism, producing smaller lesions that fail to spread across a leaf surface. Thus, Putrescine Aminopropyltransferase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Putrescine Aminopropyltransferase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.