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The major volatile organic compound emitted from Arabidopsis thaliana flowers, the sesquiterpene ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene, is a defense against a bacterial pathogen
Author(s) -
Huang Mengsu,
SanchezMoreiras Adela M.,
Abel Christian,
Sohrabi Reza,
Lee Sungbeom,
Gershenzon Jonathan,
Tholl Dorothea
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.04001.x
Subject(s) - sesquiterpene , arabidopsis thaliana , botany , pathogen , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biochemistry , mutant
Summary• Flowers have a high risk of pathogen attack because of their rich nutrient and moisture content, and high frequency of insect visitors. We investigated the role of ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene in floral defense against a microbial pathogen. This sesquiterpene is a common volatile compound emitted from flowers, and is a major volatile released from the stigma of Arabidopsis thaliana flowers. • Arabidopsis thaliana lines lacking a functional ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene synthase or constitutively overexpressing this gene were challenged with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, which is a bacterial pathogen of brassicaceous plants. • Flowers of plant lines lacking ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene emission showed greater bacterial growth on their stigmas than did wild‐type flowers, and their seeds were lighter and misshapen. By contrast, plant lines with ectopic ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene emission from vegetative parts were more resistant than wild‐type plants to pathogen infection of leaves, and showed reduced cell damage and higher seed production. Based on in vitro experiments, ( E )‐β‐caryophyllene seems to act by direct inhibition of bacterial growth, rather than by triggering defense signaling pathways. • ( E )‐β‐Caryophyllene thus appears to serve as a defense against pathogens that invade floral tissues and, like other floral volatiles, may play multiple roles in defense and pollinator attraction.