Production of constitutive and induced secondary metabolites is coordinated with growth and storage in Norway spruce saplings

Abstract A mechanistic understanding of how trees balance the trade-offs between growth, storage and defense is limited but crucial for predicting tree responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Here we investigated how trees allocate storage of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) to growth and constitutive and induced secondary metabolites (SM). We exposed Norway spruce (Picea abies) saplings to 5 weeks of complete darkness to induce light and/or carbon limitation and then applied methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to simulate biotic attack. We measured changes in biomass, NSC (sum of soluble sugars and starches), and constitutive and induced SM (sum of phenolic compounds and terpenoids) in current-year developing and previous-year mature needles and branches, as well as volatiles emitted from the canopy. Under darkness, NSC storage was preferentially used for constitutive biosynthesis of monoterpenes rather than biosynthesis of stilbenes and growth of developing organs, while SM stored in mature organs cannot be remobilized and recycled. Furthermore, MeJA-induced production of SM was constrained by low NSC availability in developing organs but not in mature organs grown in the dark. Emissions of volatiles were suppressed in the dark but after 1 h of re-illumination, emissions of both constitutive and induced monoterpene hydrocarbons recovered rapidly, whereas emissions of linalool and sesquiterpene produced via de novo synthesis did not recover. Our results highlight that light and/or carbon limitation may constrain constitutive and JA-induced biosynthesis of SM in coordination with growth, NSC storage and mobilization.

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Ecometabolomics for a Better Understanding of Plant Responses and Acclimation to Abiotic Factors Linked to Global Change

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo10060239 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 239 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jordi Sardans ◽

Albert Gargallo-Garriga ◽

Otmar Urban ◽

Karel Klem ◽

Tom W.N. Walker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Global Change ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

De Novo ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Soluble Sugars ◽

Metabolic Responses ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Co2 Concentrations

The number of ecometabolomic studies, which use metabolomic analyses to disentangle organisms’ metabolic responses and acclimation to a changing environment, has grown exponentially in recent years. Here, we review the results and conclusions of ecometabolomic studies on the impacts of four main drivers of global change (increasing frequencies of drought episodes, heat stress, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and increasing nitrogen (N) loads) on plant metabolism. Ecometabolomic studies of drought effects confirmed findings of previous target studies, in which most changes in metabolism are characterized by increased concentrations of soluble sugars and carbohydrate derivatives and frequently also by elevated concentrations of free amino acids. Secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids and terpenes, also commonly exhibited increased concentrations when drought intensified. Under heat and increasing N loads, soluble amino acids derived from glutamate and glutamine were the most responsive metabolites. Foliar metabolic responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations were dominated by greater production of monosaccharides and associated synthesis of secondary metabolites, such as terpenes, rather than secondary metabolites synthesized along longer sugar pathways involving N-rich precursor molecules, such as those formed from cyclic amino acids and along the shikimate pathway. We suggest that breeding for crop genotypes tolerant to drought and heat stress should be based on their capacity to increase the concentrations of C-rich compounds more than the concentrations of smaller N-rich molecules, such as amino acids. This could facilitate rapid and efficient stress response by reducing protein catabolism without compromising enzymatic capacity or increasing the requirement for re-transcription and de novo biosynthesis of proteins.

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eIF2α Phosphorylation by GCN2 Is Induced in the Presence of Chitin and Plays an Important Role in Plant Defense against B. cinerea Infection

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21197335 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (19) ◽

pp. 7335 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marta Berrocal-Lobo ◽

René Toribio ◽

M. Mar Castellano

Keyword(s):

Plant Defense ◽

Translational Regulation ◽

De Novo ◽

Specific Response ◽

Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽

Biotic Stresses ◽

Eif2α Phosphorylation ◽

Molecular Pattern ◽

De Novo Protein Synthesis ◽

Global Inhibition

Translation plays an important role in plant adaptation to different abiotic and biotic stresses; however, the mechanisms involved in translational regulation during each specific response and their effect in translation are poorly understood in plants. In this work, we show that GCN2 promotes eIF2α phosphorylation upon contact with Botrytis cinerea spores, and that this phosphorylation is required for the proper establishment of plant defense against the fungus. In fact, independent gcn2 mutants display an enhanced susceptibility to B. cinerea infection, which is highlighted by an increased cell death and reduced expression of ethylene- and jasmonic-related genes in the gcn2 mutants. eIF2α phosphorylation is not only triggered in the presence of the fungus, but interestingly, is also achieved in the sole presence of the microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) chitin. Moreover, analysis of de novo protein synthesis by 35SMet–35SCys incorporation indicates that chitin treatment promotes a global inhibition of translation. Taken together, these results suggest that eIF2α phosphorylation by GCN2 is promoted in the presence of chitin and plays an important role in plant defense against B. cinerea infection.

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Secrets of plants: Endophytes

International Journal of Plant Biology ◽

10.4081/pb.2018.7810 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Asiya Nazir ◽

Habeeb Abdul Rahman

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Endophytic Fungi ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽

Biotic Stresses ◽

Bioactive Secondary Metabolites ◽

Novel Drug ◽

The Impact

Endophytic fungi are an important component that colonizes in healthy tissues of living plants and can be readily isolated from any microbial or plant growth medium. They act as reservoirs of novel bioactive secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, phenolic acids, quinones, steroids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids that serve as a potential candidate for antimicrobial, anti-insect, anticancer and many more properties. Their huge diversity and particular habituation, they can provide a good area for research in the field of making new medicines and novel drug-like molecules. Because of the impact of endophytes on host plant by enhancing their growth or increasing their fitness, also making them tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses and holding the secondary metabolites, endophytes are gaining attention as a subject for research. This review aims to comprehend the contribution and uses of endophytes and relationships between endophytic fungi and their host medicinal plants.

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Recognition Pattern, Functional Mechanism and Application of Chitin and Chitosan Oligosaccharides in Sustainable Agriculture

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200617165915 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (29) ◽

pp. 3508-3521 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiaochen Jia ◽

Mijanur R. Rajib ◽

Heng Yin

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Production ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Biotic Stresses ◽

The Past ◽

Chitosan Oligosaccharides ◽

Recognition Pattern ◽

Functional Mechanism ◽

Chitin And Chitosan ◽

And Storage ◽

Further Development

Background: Application of chitin attracts much attention in the past decades as the second abundant polysaccharides in the world after cellulose. Chitin oligosaccharides (CTOS) and its deacetylated derivative chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) were shown great potentiality in agriculture by enhancing plant resistance to abiotic or biotic stresses, promoting plant growth and yield, improving fruits quality and storage, etc. Those applications have already served huge economic and social benefits for many years. However, the recognition mode and functional mechanism of CTOS and COS on plants have gradually revealed just in recent years. Objective: Recognition pattern and functional mechanism of CTOS and COS in plant together with application status of COS in agricultural production will be well described in this review. By which we wish to promote further development and application of CTOS and COS–related products in the field.

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Identification of Plant Protein Kinases in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses Using SuperSAGE

Current Protein and Peptide Science ◽

10.2174/1389203711109070643 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 643-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ederson Akio Kido ◽

Pedranne Kelle de Araujo Barbosa ◽

Jose Ribamar Costa Ferreira Neto ◽

Valesca Pandolfi ◽

Laureen Michelle Houllou-Kido ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinases ◽

Plant Protein ◽

Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽

Biotic Stresses

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Can interaction between silicon and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria benefit in alleviating abiotic and biotic stresses in crop plants?

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/j.agee.2017.11.007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 253 ◽

pp. 98-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Hassan Etesami

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽

Crop Plants ◽

Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽

Biotic Stresses ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Growth Promoting

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Comparative Metabolite Profile, Biological Activity and Overall Quality of Three Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Asteraceae) Cultivars in Response to Sulfur Nutrition

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13050713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 713

Author(s):

Muna Ali Abdalla ◽

Fengjie Li ◽

Arlette Wenzel-Storjohann ◽

Saad Sulieman ◽

Deniz Tasdemir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽

Critical Role ◽

Soluble Sugars ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Metabolite Profile ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Radical Scavenger ◽

Higher Plant

The main objective of the present study was to assess the effects of sulfur (S) nutrition on plant growth, overall quality, secondary metabolites, and antibacterial and radical scavenging activities of hydroponically grown lettuce cultivars. Three lettuce cultivars, namely, Pazmanea RZ (green butterhead, V1), Hawking RZ (green multi-leaf lettuce, V2), and Barlach RZ (red multi-leaf, V3) were subjected to two S-treatments in the form of magnesium sulfate (+S) or magnesium chloride (−S). Significant differences were observed under −S treatments, especially among V1 and V2 lettuce cultivars. These responses were reflected in the yield, levels of macro- and micro-nutrients, water-soluble sugars, and free inorganic anions. In comparison with the green cultivars (V1 and V2), the red-V3 cultivar revealed a greater acclimation to S starvation, as evidenced by relative higher plant growth. In contrast, the green cultivars showed higher capabilities in production and superior quality attributes under +S condition. As for secondary metabolites, sixteen compounds (e.g., sesquiterpene lactones, caffeoyl derivatives, caffeic acid hexose, 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-OCQA), quercetin and luteolin glucoside derivatives) were annotated in all three cultivars with the aid of HPLC-DAD-MS-based untargeted metabolomics. Sesquiterpene lactone lactucin and anthocyanin cyanidin 3-O-galactoside were only detected in V1 and V3 cultivars, respectively. Based on the analyses, the V3 cultivar was the most potent radical scavenger, while V1 and V2 cultivars exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in response to S provision. Our study emphasizes the critical role of S nutrition in plant growth, acclimation, and nutritional quality. The judicious-S application can be adopted as a promising antimicrobial prototype for medical applications.

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Recent Development on Plant Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Enzymes and Their Functions in Plant Development and Stress Signaling

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12010051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Adesola J. Tola ◽

Amal Jaballi ◽

Hugo Germain ◽

Tagnon D. Missihoun

Keyword(s):

Plant Development ◽

Critical Analysis ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Stress Signaling ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽

Aldehyde Dehydrogenases ◽

Biotic Stresses ◽

Wide Range ◽

Excessive Accumulation

Abiotic and biotic stresses induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which subsequently causes the excessive accumulation of aldehydes in cells. Stress-derived aldehydes are commonly designated as reactive electrophile species (RES) as a result of the presence of an electrophilic α, β-unsaturated carbonyl group. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are NAD(P)+-dependent enzymes that metabolize a wide range of endogenous and exogenous aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde molecules by oxidizing them to their corresponding carboxylic acids. The ALDH enzymes are found in nearly all organisms, and plants contain fourteen ALDH protein families. In this review, we performed a critical analysis of the research reports over the last decade on plant ALDHs. Newly discovered roles for these enzymes in metabolism, signaling and development have been highlighted and discussed. We concluded with suggestions for future investigations to exploit the potential of these enzymes in biotechnology and to improve our current knowledge about these enzymes in gene signaling and plant development.

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