MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Antifungal mechanism of ketone volatile organic compounds against Pseudogymnoascus destructans

Summary

Researchers discovered that two ketone compounds, 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone, effectively kill Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats. Using advanced genetic analysis, they found these ketones work by damaging the fungus’s cell structure, disrupting its energy production, and causing DNA damage. This research provides a foundation for developing new fumigant treatments to protect bat populations from this devastating fungal disease.

Background

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) is the causative agent of white-nose syndrome in bats, causing regional extinction of bat populations. Ketone volatile organic compounds have demonstrated favorable inhibitory activity against pathogenic fungi, but their mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective

To investigate the antifungal mechanisms of 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone against Pd through transcriptomic analysis and RNA sequencing to understand their effects on gene expression profiles and cellular processes.

Results

Both ketones inhibited spore germination with MIC values of 25.94 μg/mL (2-undecanone) and 135.41 μg/mL (2-nonanone). Transcriptomic analysis revealed ketones induced cell wall and membrane damage, disrupted ribosomal stability through rRNA modifications, affected TCA cycle enzymes (2-undecanone), and triggered DNA damage repair mechanisms (2-nonanone).

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that ketones inhibit Pd through multiple pathways affecting cell structure, energy metabolism, and genetic information processing, providing theoretical basis for developing novel antifungal strategies and efficient fumigants targeting Pd for white-nose syndrome management.
  • Published in:Virulence,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 41055053, DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2025.2569627
Scroll to Top