Pathways of IAA Production from Tryptophan by Plants and by Their Epiphytic Bacteria: A Comparison

Metabolites of tryptophan were investigated using 2 systems: a bacterial (Peastem homogenates containing the epiphytic bacteria) and a plant system (pea stem sections under sterile conditions). The plant system produces: indolepyruvic acid (IPyA), indoleacetaldehyde (IAAld) indoleacetic acid (IAA), indoleethanol (tryptophol, IAAol), indolecarboxylie acid (ICA), indolecarboxaldehyde (ICAld). Bacteria produce additionally: indoleactic acid (ILA), tryptamine (TNH₂) and the unknown Xb and Yb, but IAAld was not detected. A nonacidic inhibitor extract from pea stems decreases the gain of IAA, IPyA, ILA, Yb. It increases the gain of IAAld, IAAol, TNH₂, Xb, and (only in the bacterial system) ICA and ICAld. Three sites of inhibitor action are suggested, namely the steps Try → IPyA, TNH₂→ IAAld, IAAld → IAA.     

Epiphytic microorganisms and IAA synthesis

Summary Epiphytic microorganisms present on cotton plants synthesized 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan. Microorganisms from the root zone synthesized 3 times the amount of IAA when compared with the shoot zone and the root zone contained a much higher number of microorganisms. IAA-synthesizing activity was eliminated when the tissues were treated with a weak solution of mercuric chloride. Various tests on the possible accumulation of IAA from external sources showed that IAA synthesized outside the plant does not accumulate in the plant. Although epiphytic microorganisms synthesize IAA in large amounts, they do not influence the IAA content of the plant due to (1) lack of available tryptophan, (2) destruction of the auxin by the microflora, and (3) the polar movement of the auxin.     

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis in the biocontrol strain CHA0 of Pseudomonas fluorescens: role of tryptophan side chain oxidase.

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 is an effective biocontrol agent against soil-borne fungal plant pathogens. In this study, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis in strain CHA0 was investigated. Two key enzyme activities were found to be involved: tryptophan side chain oxidase (TSO) and tryptophan transaminase. TSO was induced in the stationary growth phase. By fractionation of a cell extract of strain CHA0 on DEAE-Sepharose, two distinct peaks of constitutive tryptophan transaminase activity were detected. A pathway leading from tryptophan to IAA via indole-3-acetamide, which occurs in Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi, was not present in strain CHA0. IAA synthesis accounted for less than or equal to 1.5% of exogenous tryptophan consumed by resting cells of strain CHA0, indicating that the bulk of tryptophan was catabolized via yet another pathway involving anthranilic acid as an intermediate. Strain CHA750, a mutant lacking TSO activity, was obtained after Tn5 mutagenesis of strain CHA0. In liquid cultures (pH 6.8) supplemented with 10 mM-L-tryptophan, growing cells of strains CHA0 and CHA750 synthesized the same amount of IAA, presumably using the tryptophan transaminase pathway. In contrast, resting cells of strain CHA750 produced five times less IAA in a buffer (pH 6.0) containing 1 mM-L-tryptophan than did resting cells of the wild-type, illustrating the major contribution of TSO to IAA synthesis under these conditions. In artificial soils at pH approximately 7 or pH approximately 6, both strains had similar abilities to suppress take-all disease of wheat or black root rot of tobacco. This suggests that TSO-dependent IAA synthesis is not essential for disease suppression.     

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis in the smut fungus Ustilago maydis and its relevance for increased IAA levels in infected tissue and host tumour formation

Infection of maize (Zea mays) plants with the smut fungus Ustilago maydis is characterized by excessive host tumour formation. U. maydis is able to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) efficiently from tryptophan. To assess a possible connection to the induction of host tumours, we investigated the pathways leading to fungal IAA biosynthesis. Besides the previously identified iad1 gene, we identified a second indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene, iad2. Deltaiad1Deltaiad2 mutants were blocked in the conversion of both indole-3-acetaldehyde and tryptamine to IAA, although the reduction in IAA formation from tryptophan was not significantly different from Deltaiad1 mutants. To assess an influence of indole-3-pyruvic acid on IAA formation, we deleted the aromatic amino acid aminotransferase genes tam1 and tam2 in Deltaiad1Deltaiad2 mutants. This revealed a further reduction in IAA levels by five- and tenfold in mutant strains harbouring theDeltatam1 andDeltatam1Deltatam2 deletions, respectively. This illustrates that indole-3-pyruvic acid serves as an efficient precursor for IAA formation in U. maydis. Interestingly, the rise in host IAA levels upon U. maydis infection was significantly reduced in tissue infected with Deltaiad1Deltaiad2Deltatam1 orDeltaiad1Deltaiad2Deltatam1Deltatam2 mutants, whereas induction of tumours was not compromised. Together, these results indicate that fungal IAA production critically contributes to IAA levels in infected tissue, but this is apparently not important for triggering host tumour formation.     

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production by Arthrobacter species isolated from Azolla.

Arthrobacter species, isolated from the leaf cavities and the microsporocarps of the aquatic fern species Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides, produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in culture when the precursor tryptophan was added to the medium. No IAA production was detected in the absence of tryptophan. Maximum IAA formation was obtained in the first 2 d of incubation. Part of the tryptophan was transformed to N alpha-acetyl-L-tryptophan.     

Differential inhibition of indole-3-acetic acid and tryptophan biosynthesis by indole analogues. I. Tryptophan dependent IAA biosynthesis

Maize liquid endosperm extracts contain the enzymes necessary for all of the steps of the plant IAA biosynthetic pathway from tryptophan, and provide a means to assay the pathway in vitro. We have analyzed the reactions in the presence of a series of indole and indole-like analogues in order to evaluate the potential of these compounds to act as inhibitors of IAA biosynthesis. Such inhibitors will be useful to investigate the tryptophan to IAA pathway, to determine the precursors and intermediates involved, and to select for mutants in this process. A number of such compounds were tested using in vitro enzyme assays for both the tryptophan dependent IAA biosynthesis pathway and for tryptophan synthase activity. Some compounds showed strong inhibition of IAA biosynthesis while having only a slight effect on the reaction rate of tryptophan synthase . These results: (1) show that IAA biosynthesis can be selectively inhibited relative to tryptophan biosynthesis; (2) suggest potential ways to screen for IAA biosynthetic pathway mutations in plants; and (3) provide additional tools for studies of IAA biosynthesis in plants.     

Indole-3-acetic Acid (IAA) and IAA Conjugates Applied to Bean Stem Sections: IAA Content and the Growth Response

High resolution growth recording techniques and reverse isotope dilution analysis were used to study the relationship between indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration and curvature of excised bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Bush Burpee Stringless) first internode sections unilaterally treated with hormone. The maximum rate of curvature occurred rapidly (within 25 minutes) and was proportional to the log of the amount of applied IAA recovered in the tissue. The rate of curvature decreased after 30 minutes although little or no lateral migration of applied IAA occurred and tissue levels of IAA increased. The biologic activity of IAA-amino acid conjugates was found to be directly related to the amount of free IAA, resulting from their hydrolysis, which could be recovered from the tissue.     

Growth behaviour and indole acetic acid (IAA) production by a Rhizobium isolated from root nodules of Alysicarpus vaginalis DC

From the root nodules of Alysicarpus vaginalis DC, the symbiont was isolated and identified as a Rhizobium sp. The bacteria produced a high amount (107 microg/ml) of indole acetic acid (IAA) in culture from tryptophan supplemented yeast extract mannitol medium. The isolate preferred L-isomer of tryptophan for maximum IAA production. The production was maximum when the bacteria reached its stationary phase of growth. The production of IAA could be increased up to 70% over yeast extract glucose medium by supplementing ZnSO4, 7H2O (0.5 microg/ml). L-asparagine (0.2%) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (1.0 microg/ml). The possible relationship between the rhizobial IAA production and legume-rhizobia symbiosis is discussed.     

The role of indoleacetaldehyde in IAA production from tryptophan by plants and by their epiphytic bacteria

Tryptophan, tryptamine, or indolepyruvic acid were applied to 2 systems: a bacterial (pea stem sections containing the epiphytic bacteria) and a plant system (pea stem sections under sterile conditions). In the plant system, the production of indoleacetic acid and indoleethanol (tryptophol) from each applied indole derivative is clearly reduced by the aldehyde reagents bisulfite and dimedon, respectively. Indoleacetaldehyde is chromatographically detected after alkaline liberation from its bisulfite addition product. In the bacterial system, the production of indoleacetic acid and indoleethanol is likewise reduced by bisulfite and dimedon. However, after tryptophan or tryptamine application, we could not detect indoleacetaldehyde in the described way. In one case only, namely tryptamine application to the bacterial system, indoleethanol production (contrary to indoleacetic acid production) is scarcely reduced by the aldehyde reagents. This indicates a bacterial pathway tryptamine → indoleethanol which bypasses indoleacetaldehyde.     

Dissimilation of Tryptophan and Related Indolic Compounds by Ruminal Microorganisms In Vitro

Intraruminal doses of L-tryptophan cause acute pulmonary edema and emphysema in cattle. The D and L isomers of tryptophan and 22 related indolic compounds were incubated with ruminal microorganisms in vitro. Incubation of L-[U-benzene ring-(14)C]tryptophan with ruminal microorganisms for 24 h resulted in 39% of the added radioactivity being incorporated into skatole, 7% into indole, and 4% into indoleacetate (IAA). D-Tryptophan was not degraded to any of these metabolites. The major pathway of skatole formation from L-tryptophan appeared to be by the decarboxylation of IAA. Incubation of [2-(14)C]IAA with ruminal microorganisms for 24 h resulted in 38% incorporation into skatole. L-[5-Hydroxy]tryptophan was degraded to 5-hydroxyskatole and 5-hydroxyindole, whereas 5-hydroxyindoleacetate was degraded to only 5-hydroxyskatole. Incubation of indolepyruvate, indolelactate, and indolealdehyde with ruminal microorganisms resulted in the formation of both skatole and indole. Under similar conditions, indoleacetaldehyde was converted to IAA and tryptophol. The addition of increasing concentrations of glucose (0 to 110 mM) reduced the formation of both skatole and indole from L-tryptophan and resulted in the accumulation of IAA. Antibiotics reduced the degradation of L-tryptophan to skatole and indole, with kanamycin and neomycin particularly effective in reducing the decarboxylation of IAA to skatole.     

Metabolism and Synthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) in Zea mays (Levels of IAA during Kernel Development and the Use of in Vitro Endosperm Systems for Studying IAA Biosynthesis)

Kernels of Zea mays on an intact plant accumulate indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at the rate of 190 ng g-1 fresh weight h-1. Of the IAA synthesized, 97% is in the esterified form and less than 3% remains as the free acid. The site of biosynthesis of the IAA, whether synthesized in the leaf and transported to the kernel, or in the kernel and remaining in the kernel, has not been established. In an attempt to determine the locus of synthesis, we grew isolated kernels on agar media not containing tryptophan or other possible aromatic precursors of IAA and observed IAA synthesis of 99 ng g-1 fresh weight h-1, approximately 52% of the in situ rate. Thus, the kernel contains all of the enzymes required for de novo aromatic biosynthesis of IAA and its ester conjugates. Furthermore, endosperm cells in suspension culture, grown on hormone-free media and in the absence of aromatic precursors, are able to synthesize IAA at a rate of 9.2 ng g-1 fresh weight h-1, or 4.8% of the in situ rate. This finding establishes that all of the enzymes of IAA biosynthesis occur in the endosperm and that the endosperm is a site of IAA biosynthesis. Isolated endosperm, prepared from developing kernels, synthesized IAA from labeled anthranilate at a rate of 8.6 ng g-1 fresh weight h-1, or 4.5% of the in situ rate. Frozen endosperm preparations maintained the ability to synthesize labeled IAA from labeled anthranilate. The identity of the synthesized IAA was established by mass spectral analysis. We suggest that endosperm preparations of Z. mays are suitable for study of the mechanism(s) of IAA biosynthesis because they (a) have high rates of synthesis; (b) show stability to freezing, enabling enzyme storage; (c) provide a system with a known rate of in situ synthesis; and (d) are available in large amounts for use as an enzyme source.     

A hypothetical route for the biogenisis of IAA

Summary A method is described for using apical sections of Avena coleoptiles grown in the dark for 70 hours as an assay for IAA and for potential precursors of IAA. The experiments were carried out under as sterile conditions as possible.Tryptophan appeared not to act as a precursor of IAA. Tryptamine however showed a marked stimulation of growth indicating its possible conversion to IAA. Other compounds that stimulated growth and hence may be regarded as potential precursors of IAA were anthranilic acid and indole. Kynurenine and shikimic acid were among those without an effect. A hypothetical route for the biogenisis of IAA is suggested based on the findings of this work.     

Efficient Conversion of L-Tryptophan to Indole-3-Acetic Acid and/or Tryptophol by Some Species of Rhizoctonia

In a study of various phytopathogenic fungi, we found that fungithat belong to the genus Rhizoctonia produce IAA efficientlyfrom tryptophan. R. solani Kühn MAFF-305219, in particular,produced large amounts of tryptophol (Tol), which was assumedto be a specific by-product of the indole-3-pyruvate (IPy) pathway,in addition to IAA. Therefore, this fungus seemed suitable foranalysis of the function and the regulation of the biosynthesisof auxin by a fungal pathogen. Under normal aerobic conditions,the ratio of IAA to Tol synthesized by this strain was higherthan that under less aerobic conditions. In metabolic studieswith various indole derivatives, R. solani converted L-tryptophanand indole-3-acetaldehyde to IAA and Tol, but other indole derivativeswere scarcely metabolized. These results suggest that both IAAand Tol are synthesized from tryptophan through the IPy pathwayin Rhizoctonia. (Received May 27, 1996; Accepted July 8, 1996)     

MOVEMENT OF IAA IN SECTIONS FROM SPIDER FLOWER (CLEOME HASSLERIANA) STAMEN FILAMENTS

Movement of IAA in spider flower (Cleome hassleriana Chod.) stamen filaments was studied by placing 2-mm sections horizontally between donor agar blocks containing ¹⁴C-labeled IAA and plain agar receiver blocks and measuring radioactivity in the donor and receiver blocks and filament sections by scintillation counting after the desired transport time. Movement was strictly polar and basipetal at all stages of floral development, except in open flowers just before stamen abscission when the amounts moving acropetally and basipetally were equal. The amount of IAA moved depended upon the stage of development. As buds aged more IAA was moved, until the buds opened and the stamen filaments reached maximum elongation; then the amount of IAA moving basipetally dropped drastically. There was an insignificant amount of acropetal IAA movement except just before stamen abscission. This change in IAA movement is not due to a change in filament diameter. In time-course studies the amount of IAA moved basipetally increased with time up to 5 hr and then declined slightly. The amount of radioactivity retained by sections increased until 8 hr. The amount of IAA moved in tip sections was less than that in mid or base sections; however, this can be partially explained by differences in uptake area of these sections. The relationship of these results to the hypothesis that changes in IAA movement are important in the control of stamen filament elongation and abscission is discussed.     

Changes in IAA responsiveness in the elongation region of graviresponding mung bean roots

IAA responsiveness of sections of root tissue taken from the top and bottom of mung bean roots was assessed prior to and at varying times following gravistimulation. Prior to gravistimulation, root tissue sections from the sides of the elongation zone responded similarly to IAA. After gravistimulation (within 5 min), root sections from the bottom of the elongation zone became more responsive to IAA than sections collected from the upper side of the elongation zone. The change in IAA responsiveness of these tissue sections was transient with root sections from both the top and bottom of the elongation zone again exhibiting similar responsiveness to IAA following 15 minutes of gravistimulation.These studies also examined if the root tip is required for the gravity-induced shift in IAA responsiveness in the tissues of the elongation zone. The IAA responsiveness of top and bottom sections of the elongation zone from decapped mung bean roots was assessed at varying times following gravistimulation. The responsiveness to IAA of top and bottom sections changed rapidly in decapped roots, just as had been previously found for intact roots. Although the alteration in responsiveness was transient in decapped roots (just as intact roots), the time it took for the sections to recover previous responsiveness to IAA was extended.These results suggest that the initial growth response of graviresponding roots may be due to a change in the IAA responsiveness of tissues in the elongation zone and not an asymmetric accumulation of IAA on the lower side of the elongation zone. The results also indicate that the gravity-induced shift in IAA responsiveness in the elongation zone occurs independently of the root cap, suggesting that the cells in the elongation region can perceive and respond to gravity independently of the root cap during the intial phases of the gravity response.     

Tryptophan auxotroph mutants suppress the superroot2 phenotypes,modulating IAA biosynthesis in arabidopsis

Plant phytohormone, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA ), is synthesized by tryptophan (trp) dependent and independent pathway. Here we report that tryptophan auxotroph mutants completely suppressed the abnormalities of auxin over production mutant, superroot2. SUR2 is considered to modulate Trp dependent pathway, resulting IAA accumulation in Arabidopsis. Tryptophan auxotroph mutants showed hyper-sensitivity to the auxin polar transport inhibitor, NPA, on the phenotype of reduced gravitropism. These results together with the results of histochemical analyses, tryptophan auxotroph mutants seem to have a complete defect in Trp dependent IAA biosynthesis pathway, and it is also suggested that the Trp dependent pathway is responsible for the normal root gravitropism.Key words: Auxin, Trp dependent pathway, trp mutants, sur2, arabidopsis     

Culture growth and IAA production by a microbial diazotropic symbiont of stem-nodules of the legumeAeschynomene aspera

The stem nodules of the legumeAeschynomene aspera contain indoleacetic acid and a high amount of tryptophan. TheAzorhizobium caulinodans isolated from the stem nodules of the leguminous emergent hydrophyte produced a high amount of IAA (14.8 mg/L) inl-tryptophan-supplemented basal medium. The IAA yields paralleled the culture growth rate and increased up to 52 h. No separate growth and production phase was observed. The IAA production was increased 344% when the medium was supplemented withl-tryptophan, sucrose, FeSO₄·7H₂O, NaNO₃, ascorbic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The possible role of the IAA production in the legume-bacterium symbiosis is discussed.     

营养胁迫诱导的油菜子叶衰老过程中IAA氧化酶和细胞分裂素氧化酶活性的变化

以离体油菜子叶为材料,研究了营养胁迫诱导的子叶衰老过程中吲哚乙酸氧化酶(IAA氧化酶)和细胞分裂素氧化酶活性的变化。在光照条件下,离体子叶在不含任何无机元素的0．8％的琼脂中培养9d后,出现明显的衰老迹象(叶绿素含量下降,丙二醛含量上升),15d时完全死亡。在营养胁迫诱导的衰老过程中,IAA氧化酶和细胞分裂素氧化酶的活性表现出相似的变化趋势,在诱导处理1d时,两种酶的活性均比处理前有明显下降,之后又随着衰老进程逐渐上升。IAA氧化酶活性在诱导处理11d时达到高峰,超出处理前30％以上;比对照高出1倍以上;而细胞分裂素氧化酶活性在诱导处理13d时达到高峰,比对照高出3倍以上,也超过了处理前的水平。衰老过程中IAA氢化酶和细朐分裂素氧化酶活性的上升可能是导致内源激素含量下降的重要原因。     

Immunohistochemical observation of indole-3-acetic acid at the IAA synthetic maize coleoptile tips

To investigate the distribution of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and the IAA synthetic cells in maize coleoptiles, we established immunohistochemistry of IAA using an anti-IAA-C-monoclonal antibody. We first confirmed the specificity of the antibody by comparing the amounts of endogenous free and conjugated IAA to the IAA signal obtained from the IAA antibody. Depletion of endogenous IAA showed a corresponding decrease in immuno-signal intensity and negligible cross-reactivity against IAA-related compounds, including tryptophan, indole-3-acetamide, and conjugated-IAA was observed. Immunolocalization showed that the IAA signal was intense in the approximately 1 mm region and the outer epidermis at the approximately 0.5 mm region from the top of coleoptiles treated with 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid. By contrast, the IAA immuno-signal in the outer epidermis almost disappeared after 5-methyl-tryptophan treatment. Immunogold labeling of IAA with an anti-IAA-N-polyclonal antibody in the outer-epidermal cells showed cytoplasmic localization of free-IAA, but none in cell walls or vacuoles. These findings indicated that IAA is synthesized in the 0–2.0 mm region of maize coleoptile tips from Trp, in which the outer-epidermal cells of the 0.5 mm tip are the most active IAA synthetic cells.