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Isoprene production in transgenic tobacco alters isoprenoid, non‐structural carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid metabolism, and protects photosynthesis from drought stress
Author(s) -
TATTINI MASSIMILIANO,
VELIKOVA VIOLETA,
VICKERS CLAUDIA,
BRUNETTI CECILIA,
DI FERDINANDO MARTINA,
TRIVELLINI ALICE,
FINESCHI SILVIA,
AGATI GIOVANNI,
FERRINI FRANCESCO,
LORETO FRANCESCO
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.12350
Subject(s) - isoprene , terpenoid , photosynthesis , phenylpropanoid , abscisic acid , chemistry , botany , plant physiology , drought tolerance , biology , biochemistry , biosynthesis , organic chemistry , gene , copolymer , enzyme , polymer
Isoprene strengthens thylakoid membranes and scavenges stress‐induced oxidative species. The idea that isoprene production might also influence isoprenoid and phenylpropanoid pathways under stress conditions was tested. We used transgenic tobacco to compare physiological and biochemical traits of isoprene‐emitting ( IE ) and non‐emitting ( NE ) plants exposed to severe drought and subsequent re‐watering. Photosynthesis was less affected by drought in IE than in NE plants, and higher rates were also observed in IE than in NE plants recovering from drought. Isoprene emission was stimulated by mild drought. Under severe drought, isoprene emission declined, and levels of non‐volatile isoprenoids, specifically de‐epoxidated xanthophylls and abscisic acid ( ABA ), were higher in IE than in NE plants. Soluble sugars and phenylpropanoids were also higher in IE plants. After re‐watering, IE plants maintained higher levels of metabolites, but isoprene emission was again higher than in unstressed plants. We suggest that isoprene production in transgenic tobacco triggered different responses, depending upon drought severity. Under drought, the observed trade‐off between isoprene and non‐volatile isoprenoids suggests that in IE plants isoprene acts as a short‐term protectant, whereas non‐volatile isoprenoids protect against severe, long‐term damage. After drought, it is suggested that the capacity to emit isoprene might up‐regulate production of non‐volatile isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids, which may further protect IE leaves.