Discovery and validation of pesticide novel target: take pyruvate kinase as an example

Discovery and validation of the target protein of new agrochemicals is an important basis for the development of novel agrochemicals. Label-free methods are more conducive to find the targets by identification of the interacted protein without structural modification of the active small molecule itself. Herein, we give an example of such a new approach that starts with the synthesis of compounds with novel structures, then using drug affinity responsive target stability and genome-based methods to elucidate their targets, and finally validate its mode of action. This example will contribute to discriminating among potent targets of other novel fungicide candidates.