When exponentially aerobic growing cells of S. cerevisiae are submitted to acute Dithianon treatment they loss cell wall and membrane integrity, dying by necrosis, and this behavior is associated to a depletion of reduced proteic and non-proteic thiol groups. An important increase of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated to mitochondrial membrane potential modifications on Dithianon treated cells are also detected[1].
In filamentous fungus, Dithianon inhibits mycelial growth and conidial germination. Studies on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and yeast cells showed that Dithianon inhibits respiration and fermentation affecting several thiol enzymes of the glycolytic pathway as hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase[1].
Dithianon has in vitro cytotoxic effect and affect cell transforming activity of BLAB/c 3 T3 cells[1].
The activity of testosterone hydroxylase of liver microsomes derived from male mice is increased when they are treated with acute doses of Dithianon, while in females an inactivating effect is observed[1].
[1]. Scariot FJ, et al. Necrotic cell death induced by dithianon on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Pestic Biochem Physiol. 2018 Jul;149:137-142.
[2]. Halasz I, et al. Structures of four polymorphs of the pesticide dithianon solved from X-ray powder diffraction data. Acta Crystallogr B. 2012 Dec;68(Pt 6):661-6.