Fig. 2. Mode of action of cercosporin. Cercosporin is activated by light and in the activated state, reacts with oxygen to produce toxic oxygen species such as singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide (O₂^-). Production of reactive oxygen species leads to peroxidation of lipids in the plant cell membranes. It is hypothesized that this membrane damage allows for leakage into the intercellular spaces of nutrients that are used by the fungus to colonize the leaf.

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