Methyl jasmonate vapor increases the developmentally controlled synthesis of alkaloids in Catharanthus and Cinchona seedlings |
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Authors: | Rob J Aerts Daniel Gisi Emidio De Carolis Vincenzo De Luca Thomas W Baumann |
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Institution: | Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland;Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Universitéde Montréal, 4101 rue Sherbrooke est, Montréal, Québec, H1X2B2 Canada |
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Abstract: | Shortly after germination, alkaloids are rapidly synthesized in seedlings of both Catharanthus roseus L.G. Don and Cinchona ledgeriana Moens. The effect of low-level, atmospheric methyl jasmonate on this developmentally controlled process was studied. In both species, about 1 p.p.m. of methyl jasmonate vapor significantly enhanced alkaloid synthesis during germination, resulting in a doubling of alkaloid content in seedlings. Treatment with methyl jasmonate resulted in increased allocation of alkaloid precursors and in enhanced enzyme activities in alkaloid biosynthesis. The ability of methyl jasmonate to increase alkaloid biosynthesis decreased with age of the seedlings. Susceptibility of the process to methyl jasmonate was confined to a narrow time interval where the developmentally regulated onset of alkaloid synthesis occurred. When methyl jasmonate was applied at later developmental stages, its ability to enhance alkaloid content in the seedlings declined sharply. |
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