Inhibitors of Sodium-Dependent Serotonin Transporter Protein (SERT) as Potential New Nematicides

Nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne cause major losses in agricultural production worldwide. To identify potentially useful chemical structures for developing new nematicides, this study initially aimed to determine in silico  - using computationally efficient techniques - the protein target of chaetoglobosins A and B in these nematodes. This process led to the selection of the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter protein (SERT). The activities of SERT inhibitors were subsequently evaluated in vitro. The best result was obtained with paroxetine, which caused 50% mortality (LC₅₀) in second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita at a concentration of 351.3 µg/mL. Under the same conditions, the commercial nematicide fluensulfone showed an LC₅₀ of 39.3 µg/mL. In plant trials, paroxetine reduced the pathogenicity of M. incognita J2. Therefore, further investigation of SERT inhibitors holds promise for the development of new nematicides.