{
  "abstract": "6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6-PP) is a characteristic volatile secondary metabolite produced by Trichoderma species and was initially studied for its coconut-like odor and antifungal activity. Recent studies have revealed that 6-PP has broader roles in fungal ecology, influencing pathogen interactions, plant responses, and associated microbial communities. Here, we summarize recent advances in 6-PP biology, focusing on four aspects: the evolution of its biosynthetic model, the regulation of its production, its ecological functions, and its potential applications in crop protection. The discovery of the Pks1-mediated pathway has revised previous views based mainly on fatty acid metabolism and provided genetic evidence for 6-PP biosynthesis. We further discuss how environmental signals, intracellular signaling pathways, transcriptional regulators, chromatin modification, and metabolic states collectively influence 6-PP production. At the ecological level, 6-PP acts as a signaling molecule that affects pathogen fitness, plant growth and defense responses, and plant-associated microbiome assembly. Finally, we highlight strategies for translating 6-PP biology into agricultural applications through strain engineering, controlled-release formulations, and microbial consortium-based biocontrol. Key challenges include elucidating downstream biosynthetic steps, identifying plant perception mechanisms, clarifying the ecological effects of 6-PP on microbial communities, and validating its efficacy under field conditions. Addressing these knowledge gaps will advance our understanding of 6-PP as a potential ecological signaling molecule and support the development of sustainable crop protection strategies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "Review",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Sainan Wang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hongyi Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Cheng Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xifen Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xinhua Wang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yi Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jie Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yaqian Li"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4xr8hgks7sbqc.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "4xr8hgks7sbqc",
  "issns": [
    "1664-302X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "feed-journal",
      "biology/microbiology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-03",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4xr8hgks7sbqc.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T12:20:16Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293",
      "source": "feed-frontiers",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T12:21:19Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1989293/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "feed-journal:biology/microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one: from a fungal volatile metabolite to an ecological signaling hub for sustainable crop protection",
  "title_text": "6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one: from a fungal volatile metabolite to an ecological signaling hub for sustainable crop protection",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-05T00:21:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4xr8hgks7sbqc",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Microbiology",
  "versions": []
}