Discovery and identification of 2-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde as a novel strigolactone-signaling inhibitor

Knowledge about strigolactone biosynthesis and signaling is increasing and the crystal structure of strigolactone receptor protein D14 has been resolved. Although a variety of strigolactone biosynthesis inhibitors and strigolactone agonists are known, no inhibitors of strigolactone signaling have been reported. Here, we conducted virtual screening in silico to identify chemical regulators that inhibit SL reception. We used LigandScout to analyze a pharmacophore model based on structural information about D14 protein and complex D14-D-OH (a hydrolysis product of strigolactone formed by D14). We identified a candidate compound, XM-47, and confirmed that it inhibits D14-SLR1 and D14-D53 interactions. A possible product of XM-47 hydrolysis, 2-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde (2-MN), inhibits D14-SLR1 and D14-D53 interactions and restores the growth of rice tillering buds suppressed by strigolactone.