Relationship among lipoperoxides, jasmonates and indole-3-acetic acid formation in potato tuber after wounding

Plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress can be mediated by oxidised products and in this study we analysed the relation among some of them and the growth factor indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The plant material used was potato tuber sliced below bud and incubated for different lengths of time before analysis. Wounding in potato tuber leads, in a very short time (0-30 min), to the generation of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These reactive species could cause a subsequent increase of 9 and 13-lipoxygenase (LOX, E.C.1.13.12.12.), analysed by RT-PCR and spectrophotometric assay, LOOH, Jasmonates and IAA all quantified by GC-MS analysis. The activation of 9 and 13-LOX, using different timing, leads to the formation of LOOH with a subsequent generation of jasmonates and IAA as highlighted by the addition on the potato tuber slices of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), an inhibitor of LOX activity. A correlation between jasmonates and IAA resulted by testing their reciprocal influence during wounding in potato tuber. The relationship occurring among each hormone analysed during wounding underlines the fact that the jasmonates level can be regulated in situ and this can suggest a role for these compounds in potato tuber which has been underestimated up to now.     

Early physiological and cytological events induced by wounding in potato tuber

The response of potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kennebec) to mechanical wounding was investigated at different times. Changes in the levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) were monitored up to 120 min after wounding and related to the cytological events occurring up to 24 h. Twenty minutes after injury, an increase in IAA and LOOH levels and a decrease in the levels of PUFAs was observed. Wounding induced mitoses in differentiated (parenchyma) cells starting at 120 min, and promoted an increase of mitotic activity in the meristematic cells (procambium and bud dome), after 360 min. The inhibition of the increase in LOOHs and IAA by lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors, as well as the ability of in vitro peroxidated linoleic acid to enhance IAA production, suggest a close relationship among lipoperoxidation, IAA and mitotic activity in the response of potato tuber cells to injury, resulting in a specific growth response, i.e. bud growth and periderm formation.     

Dual positional specificity and expression of non-traditional lipoxygenase induced by wounding and methyl jasmonate in maize seedlings

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the formation of fatty acid hydroperoxides involved in responses to stresses. This study examines the expression of a non-traditional dual positional specific maize LOX in response to wounding or methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Full-length maize LOX cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and recombinant LOX was purified and characterized enzymatically. RP-HPLC and GC-MS analysis showed that the purified LOX converts alpha-linolenic acid into 13-hydroperoxylinolenic acid and 9-hydroperoxylinolenic acid in a 6:4 ratio. LOX mRNA accumulated rapidly and transiently in response to wounding reaching a peak of expression about 3 h after wounding. This increase followed an initial increase in endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) 1 h after wounding (JA burst). However, the expression of LOX induced by MeJA lasted longer than the expression induced by wounding, and the MeJA-induced expression seemed to be biphasic pattern composed of early and late phases. The expression of LOX in the presence of inhibitors of JA biosynthesis was not completely inhibited, but delayed in wound response and the expression period was shortened in MeJA response. These results suggest that wound-responsive JA burst may trigger the early phase of LOX expression which facilitates biosynthesis of endogenous JA through its 13-LOX activity, and subsequently leads to the activation of the late phase LOX expression in MeJA-treated maize seedlings. Implications of dual positional specificity of maize LOX in the observed expression kinetics are discussed.     

Lipoxygenase H1 gene silencing reveals a specific role in supplying fatty acid hydroperoxides for aliphatic aldehyde production.

Lipoxygenases catalyze the formation of fatty acid hydroperoxide precursors of an array of compounds involved in the regulation of plant development and responses to stress. To elucidate the function of the potato 13-lipoxygenase H1 (LOX H1), we have generated transgenic potato plants with reduced expression of the LOX H1 gene as a consequence of co-suppression-mediated gene silencing. Three independent LOX H1-silenced transgenic lines were obtained, having less than 1% of the LOX H1 protein present in wild-type plants. This depletion of LOX H1 has no effect on the basal or wound-induced levels of jasmonates derived from 13-hydroperoxylinolenic acid. However, LOX H1 depletion results in a marked reduction in the production of volatile aliphatic C6 aldehydes. These compounds are involved in plant defense responses, acting as either signaling molecules for wound-induced gene expression or as antimicrobial substances. LOX H1 protein was localized to the chloroplast and the protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, showed activity toward unesterified linoleic and linolenic acids and plastidic phosphatidylglycerol. The results demonstrate that LOX H1 is a specific isoform involved in the generation of volatile defense and signaling compounds through the HPL branch of the octadecanoid pathway.     

Analysis of the subcellular localisation of lipoxygenase in legume and actinorhizal nodules

Plant lipoxygenases (LOXs; EC 1.13.11.12) catalyse the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic (18:2) and α-linolenic acid (18:3(n-3)) and are involved in processes such as stress responses and development. Depending on the regio-specificity of a LOX, the incorporation of molecular oxygen leads to formation of 9- or 13-fatty acid hydroperoxides, which are used by LOX itself as well as by members of at least six different enzyme families to form a series of biologically active molecules, collectively called oxylipins. The best characterised oxylipins are the jasmonates: jasmonic acid (JA) and its isoleucine conjugate that are signalling compounds in vegetative and propagative plant development. In several types of nitrogen-fixing root nodules, LOX expression and/or activity is induced during nodule development. Allene oxide cyclase (AOC), a committed enzyme of the JA biosynthetic pathway, has been shown to localise to plastids of nodules of one legume and two actinorhizal plants, Medicago truncatula, Datisca glomerata and Casuarina glauca, respectively. Using an antibody that recognises several types of LOX interspecifically, LOX protein levels were compared in roots and nodules of these plants, showing no significant differences and no obvious nodule-specific isoforms. A comparison of the cell-specific localisation of LOXs and AOC led to the conclusion that (i) only cytosolic LOXs were detected although it is generally assumed that the (13S)-hydroperoxy α-linolenic acid for JA biosynthesis is produced in the plastids, and (ii) in cells of the nodule vascular tissue that contain AOC, no LOX protein could be detected.     

Temperature regulates tuber-inducing lipoxygenase-derived metabolites in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Temperature is one of the major environmental factors affecting potato tuberization. It has been suggested that lipoxygenase (LOX) mediates between temperature and tuber induction. In this study, the contents of the LOX-derived metabolites hydroperoxylinolenic acid (HPOT), jasmonic acid (JA), tuberonic acid (TA) and tuberonic acid glucoside (TAG) were analyzed in leaves of potatoes growing at different temperatures. At low, tuber-inducing temperature, endogenous levels of JA, TA and TAG rise, indicating their crucial role in tuber induction. The concentration of 13(S)-HPOT seems not to be directly affected by temperature. Instead, the molecule has only a short half-life in leaves and is readily metabolized.     

Wounding and pathogen infection induce a chloroplast-targeted lipoxygenase in the common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Chloroplastic LOXs are implicated in the biosynthesis of oxylipins like jasmonic acid and C₆ volatiles among others. In this study, we isolated the cDNA of a novel chloroplast-targeted Phaseolus vulgaris LOX, (PvLOX6). This gene is highly induced after wounding, non-host pathogen infection, and by signaling molecules as H₂O₂, SA, ethylene and MeJA. The phylogenetic analysis of PvLOX6 showed that it is closely related to chloroplast-targeted LOX from potato (H1) and tomato (TomLOXC); both of them are implicated in the biosynthesis of C₆ volatiles. Induction of PvLOX6 mRNA by wounding ethylene and jasmonic acid on the one side, and non-host pathogen, salicylic acid on the other indicates that common bean uses the same LOX to synthesize oxylipins in response to different stresses. PvLOX6 accession number: EF196866.     

Lipoxygenase6-Dependent Oxylipin Synthesis in Roots Is Required for Abiotic and Biotic Stress Resistance of Arabidopsis

Jasmonates are oxylipin signals that play important roles in the development of fertile flowers and in defense against pathogens and herbivores in leaves. The aim of this work was to understand the synthesis and function of jasmonates in roots. Grafting experiments with a jasmonate-deficient mutant demonstrated that roots produce jasmonates independently of leaves, despite low expression of biosynthetic enzymes. Levels of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, jasmonic acid, and its isoleucine derivative increased in roots upon osmotic and drought stress. Wounding resulted in a decrease of preformed 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid concomitant with an increase of jasmonic acid and jasmonoyl-isoleucine. 13-Lipoxygenases catalyze the first step of lipid oxidation leading to jasmonate production. Analysis of 13-lipoxygenase-deficient mutant lines showed that only one of the four 13-lipoxygenases, LOX6, is responsible and essential for stress-induced jasmonate accumulation in roots. In addition, LOX6 was required for production of basal 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid in leaves and roots. Loss-of-function mutants of LOX6 were more attractive to a detritivorous crustacean and more sensitive to drought, indicating that LOX6-derived oxylipins are important for the responses to abiotic and biotic factors.Oxylipins are ubiquitous signaling molecules that are derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids by enzymatic and nonenzymatic processes. In plants, the biosynthesis and function of oxylipins of the jasmonate family in aboveground tissues has been investigated in detail. Jasmonates comprise 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), jasmonic acid (JA), and derivatives of JA. In leaves, jasmonates accumulate in response to abiotic factors such as wounding, drought, osmotic stress, darkness, and ozone and during interactions with organisms such as herbivores, pathogens, and mutualistic organisms (Wasternack, 2007). The relevance of jasmonates in wound response, ozone tolerance, and the defense against herbivores and necrotrophic pathogens in leaves has been well investigated using mutants in JA biosynthesis and signaling (Browse, 2009a). In addition, jasmonates play an important role in flower development, and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants in the JA pathway are male sterile (Browse, 2009b). The first step in jasmonate biosynthesis is catalyzed by 13-lipoxygenases (LOXs). The resulting 13(S)-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid (13-HPOTE) is converted by allene oxide synthase (AOS) and allene oxide cyclase to OPDA (Wasternack, 2007). These enzymatic steps are located in plastids. OPDA is transported to peroxisomes and converted to JA. JA can be further metabolized to different derivatives that take place mainly in the cytosol. The conjugation of JA with Ile is an important step because jasmonoyl-Ile (JA-Ile) has been identified as a biologically active jasmonate (Staswick and Tiryaki, 2004). OPDA is also biologically active without conversion to JA derivatives. In contrast to all other jasmonates, the OPDA structure contains an electrophilic α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group that renders OPDA more reactive than JA. Therefore, OPDA is classified as a reactive electrophile species with unique signaling properties different from other jasmonates (Farmer and Davoine, 2007).Of the six lipoxygenase genes present in Arabidopsis, four genes encode 13-LOX. For the respective enzymes LOX2, LOX3, LOX4, and LOX6, it was shown that linolenic acid is the preferred substrate and that 13-HPOTE is formed in vitro (Bannenberg et al., 2009). All four enzymes are proposed to be located in plastids. LOX2 is highly expressed in leaves; expression is up-regulated by jasmonates and stress treatments such as wounding and osmotic stress (Bell and Mullet, 1993; Seltmann et al., 2010a). LOX2 was shown to contribute the majority of jasmonate synthesis upon wounding and osmotic stress and during senescence in leaves (Bell et al., 1995; Glauser et al., 2009). LOX2 is also responsible for the accumulation of arabidopsides (Glauser et al., 2009), which are galactolipids containing esterified OPDA in plastids by direct oxidation of galactolipids (Zoeller et al., 2012). LOX3 and LOX4 are required for the development of fertile flowers (Caldelari et al., 2011). LOX6 shows overall low expression (Bannenberg et al., 2009). Recently, it was reported that LOX6 contributes to the fast accumulation of JA and JA-Ile in wounded leaves and is required for the fast increase of JA and JA-Ile in distal leaves after wounding (Chauvin et al., 2013).In contrast to leaves and flowers, little is known on jasmonate biosynthesis and function in roots. Expression of the plastid-localized enzymes of jasmonate synthesis LOX2, AOS, and allene oxide cyclase2 is very low in roots (Zimmermann et al., 2004). By contrast, enzymes such as 9-LOX and α-dioxygenase1 are strongly expressed in roots. These enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of oxylipins different from jasmonates, and 9-LOX products have been shown to regulate lateral root development because mutants in LOX1 and LOX5 produce more lateral roots (Vellosillo et al., 2007). However, jasmonate function in roots is still obscure. Here, we analyzed jasmonate accumulation in roots upon different stress treatments and show that mutants defective in LOX6 are impaired in stress-induced jasmonate synthesis and are more susceptible to drought and detritivore feeding.     

Enhanced production of antimicrobial sesquiterpenes and lipoxygenase metabolites in elicitor-treated hairy root cultures of Solanum tuberosum

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) hairy root cultures, established by infecting potato tuber discs with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, were used as a model system for the production of antimicrobial sesquiterpenes and lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolites. Of the four sesquiterpene phytoalexins (rishitin, lubimin, phytuberin and phytuberol) detected in elicitor-treated hairy root cultures, rishitin (213 g g^–1 dry wt) was the most predominant followed by lubimin (171 g g^–1 dry wt). The elicitors also induced LOX activity (25-fold increase) and LOX metabolites, mainly 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and 9-hydroxyoctadecatrienoic acid, in potato hairy root cultures. The combination of fungal elicitor plus cyclodextrin was the most effective elicitor treatment, followed by methyl jasmonate plus cyclodextrin in inducing sesquiterpenes and LOX metabolites.     

Jasmonic Acid is Induced in a Biphasic Manner in Response of Pea Seedlings to Wounding

The role of jasmonic acid (JA) in plant wounding response has been demonstrated. However, the source of JA in wound signaling remains unclear. In the present study, pea seedlings were used as material to investigate the systemic induction of JA and the activation of lipoxygenase (LOX)-dependent octadecanoid pathway upon wounding. The results showed that endogenous JA could induce two peaks in the wounded leaves and the stalks, while only one peak in the systemic leaves.LOX activity and its protein amount were also induced and the stimulation mainly occurred in the late phase, while one peak of induction was present after pretreatment with JA. Applied nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of LOX activity, only inhibited the induction of JA in the late phase, and the resistance of pea was impaired. Furthermore, 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11 (E)-octadecadienoic acid (13(S)-H(P)ODE) was confirmed to be the main product of LOX throughout the experimental time. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis also revealed the occurrence of JA biosynthesis and transport upon wounding. These results demonstrated that wound-induced JA in wounded leaves resulted from Its biosynthesis and conversion from its conjugates, while in systemic leaves resulted from its transport and biosynthesis; and proved that the LOX pathway was vital to the wound-induced defense response involved in JA biosynthesis.     

IAA Oxidase preparations from fresh and aged Ipomoea batatas tuber discs

IAA oxidase preparations from fresh sweet potato tuber discs oxidized IAA only in the presence of added phenolic cofactors, and the pH optimum for enzyme activity depended on the cofactor used. Ageing of tuber discs, either by aeration in distilled water or by incubation on moist filter paper, resulted in increased peroxidase and phenol-stimulated IAA oxidase activities, as well as the development of IAA oxidase activity in the absence of added cofactors. High phenolase activity of fresh tuber discs decreased considerably with ageing. Phenol-stimulated IAA oxidase activity reached maximal levels before IAA oxidase activity in the absence of added cofactors. Enzyme preparations from aged tuber discs had double pH optima, similar to those previously described for sweet potato root IAA oxidase preparations. IAA in the concentration range 10^?4 to 10^?2 M inhibited the increase in peroxidase and IAA oxidase activities with ageing. DCP-stimulated IAA oxidase activities in preparations from both fresh and aged sweet potato tuber discs were inhibited by manganous ion.     

Cytochemical immuno-localization of allene oxide cyclase, a jasmonic acid biosynthetic enzyme, in developing potato stolons

The involvement of jasmonates in the tuber development has been proved by the presence of many of these compounds in potato stolons, modification of their levels during the transition of the stolon into tuber, and induction of cell expansion upon exogenous jasmonates treatment. However, to date there is only little evidence of the presence of the jasmonic acid-biosynthetic enzymes in stolons or young tubers. As allene oxide cyclase represents the major control point for jasmonic acid biosynthesis, we studied the occurrence of allene oxide cyclase by immunological approaches in the early stages of tuber formation. In developing stolons, allene oxide cyclase as well as lipoxygenase were clearly detectable, but their levels did not change during development. Jasmonic acid treatment for 24h, however, increased lipoxygenase and allene oxide cyclase protein levels in both developmental stages analyzed. In longitudinal sections of stolons of stages 1 and 2, allene oxide cyclase and lipoxygenase occurred in the apex and along the stolon axis. Allene oxide cyclase was clearly detectable in epidermal, cortical and pith parenchymatic cells, showing the highest levels in vascular tissues surrounding cells. Lipoxygenase was mainly located in the parenchymatic cortex cells. The occurrence of allene oxide cyclase in stolons together with the previous identification of jasmonates from developing stolons reveals that these organs are capable to synthesize and metabolize jasmonates.     

Wounding Nicotiana tabacum Leaves Causes a Decline in Endogenous Indole-3-Acetic Acid

We have previously observed that auxin can act as a repressor of the wound-inducible activation of a chimeric potato proteinase inhibitor II-CAT chimeric gene (pin2-CAT) in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) callus and in whole plants. Therefore, this study was designed to examine endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in plant tissues both before and after wounding. Endogenous IAA was measured in whole plant tissues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using an isotope dilution technique. ¹³C-Labeled IAA was used as an internal standard. The endogenous levels of IAA declined two- to threefold within 6 hours after a wound. The kinetics of auxin decline are consistent with the kinetics of activation of the pin2-CAT construction in the foliage of transgenic tobacco.     

Effect of auxin and other hormones on the metabolic response to wounding in sweet potato roots

In roots of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam. cv. Kokei 14),the metabolic response to wounding was remarkable only in theproximal side. We assumed that the polarity resulted from apolar movement of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) produced in thecut surface (8). As the metabolic response was slight in thedistal side, the effect of IAA and the other plant hormoneson the development of various enzyme activities was examinedin this side. Increases in activities of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase,acid invertase, NADPHa₂ : cytochrome c oxidoreductase, peroxidase,cytochrome c : O₂ oxidoreductase and o-diphenol oxidase, whichdeveloped in response to wounding, were stimulated by the treatmentwith IAA. Gibberellic acid had a stimulative effect on the developmentof only acid invertase activity. Abscisic acid and kinetin hadlittle effect. The results strongly support our hypothesis thatIAA plays an important role in the metabolic response to wounding. (Received September 29, 1979; )     

Oxidative stress,growth factor production and budding in potato tubers during cold storage

In order to verify the role played by oxidation in the budding of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kennebec), the physiological events occurring below bud at 4°C have been studied for a period of 6 months. The low temperature storage induced an increase in the degree of unsaturation and a decrease in the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids of membrane polar lipids with a subsequent increase of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). Cold stress increased both enzymatic antioxidative activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD, E.C.1.15.1.1; catalase, CAT, E.C. 1.11.1.6), and α-tocopherol levels thus protecting membrane's polyunsaturated lipids. Between 0 and 15 days of storage SOD/CAT ratio, α-tocopherol, LOOH levels and the degree of lipid unsaturation showed strong variations. After 30 to 120/150 days the antioxidative system seemed to reach a homeostasis different from that of time 0, accompanied by a constant increase of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) after 60 days. The antioxidative system, after 150 days, lost its efficiency while LOOH levels were maintained higher than time 0 and IAA concentration was sufficient to allow sprouting.     

Relation Between Environmental Factors and the LOX Activities Upon Potato Tuber Formation and Flower-bud Formation in Morning Glory

Life cycles of plants including tuberization and flowering are strongly related to environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature. Theobroxide induces potato tuber formation and flower bud formation of morning glory under non-inductive conditions and stimulates the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX). In this study, to understand the LOX activity more systematically, the relationships between LOX activity and light and temperature, which effects potato tuber and flower-bud formation, have been investigated. The results showed that LOX activity in morning glory was greatly enhanced up to 30 min and then declined after switching from the light to the dark condition, while the activity did not vary when switching from the dark to the light condition. In addition, the temperature profile of measured LOX activity in the potato and morning glory plants was nearly consistent with the time taken to form potato tubers and flower buds in morning glory, respectively, at different growing temperatures. These results strongly suggest that LOX activity is directly connected with light and temperature to regulate the formation of tubers and flower-buds.     

Aspirin prevents wound-induced gene expression in tomato leaves by blocking jasmonic acid biosynthesis

Jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl ester, like mechanical wounding, strongly induce accumulation of proteinase inhibitor II (Pin2) in tomato and potato leaves. In plants, JA is synthesized from α-linolenic acid by a lipoxygenase (LOX)-mediated oxygenation leading to 13-hydroxyperoxylinolenic acid (13-HPLA) which is then subsequently transformed to JA by the action of hydroperoxide-dehydrase activity and additional modification steps. Both the chemical structure as well as the biosynthetic pathway of JA resemble those of the mammalian eicosanoids (prostaglandins and leukotrienes) which are derived from LOX-and cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated reactions. To assess the role of endogenous JA in the wound response, detached tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaves were supplied with different LOX and COX inhibitors and the expression of the wound-induced genes for Pin2 (Pin2), cathepsin D inhibitor (Cdi) and threonine deaminase (Td) was analyzed. Lipoxygenase inhibitors as well as some COX inhibitors blocked the wound-induced accumulation of Pin2, Cdi and Td mRNA. Quantitation of endogenous levels of JA showed that aspirin blocks the increase of this phytohormone normally observed as a result of wounding. Linolenic acid and 13-HPLA do not induce the expression of Pin2, Cdi and Td in the presence of aspirin. However, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid and jasmonic acid are able to overcome the inhibitory effect of this substance. These results strongly indicate that aspirin prevents wound-induced gene activation by inhibiting the hydroxyperoxide-dehydrase activity that mediates the conversion of 13-HPLA to 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid.