Azoxystrobin (AZX)

Azoxystrobin is a fungicide commonly used in agriculture. Azoxystrobin was discovered during research on Oudemansiella mucida and Strobilurus tenacellus, which are small white or brown coloured mushrooms commonly found in European forests. Not bigger than a few centimeters, these mushrooms attracted attention of scientists because of their remarkable ability to defend themselves. Their defense mechanism is based on the secretion of two substances, strobilurin A and oudemansin A. These substances allow them to keep their competitors at a distance and kill them when in range. Observations of this mechanism led to research that resulted in the development of azoxystrobin. Azoxystrobin binds very tightly to the Qo site of Complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby ultimately preventing the generation of ATP.