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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

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Published on: January 27, 2026
YCZ-18 is a new brassinosteroid biosynthesis inhibitor
Keimei Oh1, Tadashi Matsumoto1, Ayumi Yamagami2
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Shimoshinjo Nakano, Akita, Japan.
A new inhibitor, YCZ-18, effectively blocks brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis by targeting C23-hydroxylation. This discovery aids in understanding plant hormone regulation and BR deficiency in plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Brassinosteroids (BRs) are crucial plant hormones regulating growth and development.
- BR biosynthesis involves multiple cytochrome P450 enzymes.
- Brassinazole, a BR biosynthesis inhibitor, is used to study BR functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and characterize a novel triazole-type BR biosynthesis inhibitor, YCZ-18.
- To investigate the inhibitory mechanism and target site of YCZ-18.
- To explore the physiological effects of YCZ-18 on plant growth and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of endogenous BR levels in Arabidopsis.
- Binding affinity assessment of YCZ-18 to recombinant CYP90D1.
- Analysis of YCZ-18-induced dwarf phenotype and its effect on cell elongation.
- Gene expression analysis of BR-responsive genes.
Main Results:
- YCZ-18 significantly reduced endogenous BR levels in Arabidopsis.
- YCZ-18 exhibited a type II binding spectrum with CYP90D1 (Kd ≈ 0.79 μM), indicating inhibition.
- YCZ-18 treatment induced a dwarf phenotype due to impaired cell elongation.
- YCZ-18 modulated the expression of genes involved in BR deficiency.
Conclusions:
- YCZ-18 is a potent BR biosynthesis inhibitor with a novel target site: C23-hydroxylation.
- YCZ-18 provides a valuable tool for studying BR biosynthesis and regulation.
- Further research using YCZ-18 can elucidate detailed mechanisms of BR pathways.
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