The present inventors have discovered that 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (DET2) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of DET2 gene expression in plant seedlings resulted in seedlings that are shorter than controls and chlorotic. Thus, DET2 can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit DET2 expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a DET2 and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said DET2, or detecting a decrease in DET2 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.
本发明者发现,3-氧代-5-α-类
固醇 4-脱氢酶(DET2)对植物生长至关重要。具体来说,抑制 DET2
基因在植物幼苗中的表达会导致幼苗比对照组矮小,并出现萎蔫现象。因此,DET2 可用作
除草剂的鉴定靶标。因此,本发明提供了鉴定抑制 DET2 表达或活性的化合物的方法,包括:将化合物与 DET2 接触,检测所述化合物与所述 DET2 之间是否存在和/或不存在结合,或检测 DET2 表达或活性的降低。本发明的方法可用于
除草剂的鉴定。