Phytoene Desaturase Inhibitors

Phytoene desaturase (PDS) is a plant-specific herbicidal target. PDS plays a key role in the biosynthesis of carotenoids and related plant metabolites, which are essential in the photosynthesis system. PDS inhibition results in a characteristic strong bleaching symptomology in plants. Inhibitors of PDS were already identified as herbicides in the 1960s and are still of high importance in crop protection. Recently, a protein cocrystal structure of PDS with Norflurazon has been described, resulting in a resurge of PDS research using structure-based design . This review discusses the mode of action(MoA), the different classes of herbicidal PDS inhibitors, their use pattern, and their chemical synthesis.