Ophiobolins mediate host penetration and virulence in Bipolaris sorghicola via the mevalonate pathway.

Lovastatin inhibition of the mevalonate pathway in Bipolaris sorghicola reduces target leaf spot severity on detached sorghum leaves, with maximal disease inhibition at 1000 μg/mL after 24 h.

• Why it matters: Ophiobolins are produced by the pathogen, but their functional contribution to pathogenicity and host penetration is not well defined.
• What they did: Detached sorghum leaf assays used lovastatin to pharmacologically target HMGR, followed by RT-qPCR for MVA genes (HMGR, IPPI, FPPS, GGPPS) and LC-MS/MS for ophiobolin A and B.
• The result: Lovastatin lowered ophiobolin A and B production and reduced hyphal penetration, while exogenous ophiobolin A partially restored infection-associated phenotypes in lovastatin-treated spores.

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