On the study of plant defence and herbivory using comparative approaches: how important are secondary plant compounds

Species comparisons are a cornerstone of biology and there is a long tradition of using the comparative framework to study the ecology and evolution of plant defensive traits. Early comparative studies led to the hypothesis that plant chemistry plays a central role in plant defence, and the evolution of plant secondary chemistry in response to insect herbivory remains a classic example of coevolution. However, recent comparative work has disagreed with this paradigm, reporting little connection between plant secondary chemicals and herbivory across distantly related plant taxa. One conclusion of this new work is that the importance of secondary chemistry in plant defence may have been generally overstated in earlier research. Here, we attempt to reconcile these contradicting viewpoints on the role of plant chemistry in defence by critically evaluating the use and interpretation of species correlations as a means to study defence–herbivory relationships. We conclude that the notion that plant primary metabolites (e.g. leaf nitrogen content) are the principal determinants of herbivory (or the target of natural selection by herbivores) is not likely to be correct. Despite the inference of recent community‐wide studies of herbivory, strong evidence remains for a prime role of secondary compounds in plant defence against herbivores.     

TNT phytotransformation pathway characteristics in Arabidopsis: role of aromatic hydroxylamines

Basic knowledge of the plant transformation pathways of TNT will aid phytoremediation design and assessment. While TNT transformation by plant metabolism has been demonstrated in previous studies, the presence and role of hydroxylamines in the transformation pathway has not been sufficiently understood. Hydroxylamines are unequivocally shown to be formed by plant transformation of TNT by two axenic plant systems (Arabidopsis thaliana and Catharanthusroseus). In addition, confirmation was obtained for conversion of these hydroxylamines to previously identified conjugates. Further characteristics of TNT transformation in Arabidopsis, an increasingly popular model system for genetic and biochemical studies of TNT transformation, were elucidated by [U-14C]TNT mass balance studies and metabolite feeding studies. These studies showed the rapid conversion of TNT to unextractable bound compounds by Arabidopsis seedlings in agreement with the green-liver model. Arabidopsis seedlings formed and transformed 4-substituted metabolites more efficiently than the 2-substituted metabolites. A qualitative kinetic rate analysis of the pathway was performed to propose rate-limiting steps in the pathway and theoretical schemes for improved rates are suggested.     

Mycorrhizal traits and plant communities: perspectives for integration

Plant functional type‐ and trait‐based approaches to understanding vegetation dynamics are gradually gaining popularity. However, plant mycorrhizal traits are rarely considered in plant trait databases and are almost totally neglected in trait‐based plant community studies, despite more than 90% of the land flora being mycorrhizal. In this paper I describe and define the mycorrhizal traits of plant species, notably mycorrhizal type, mycorrhizal status, mycorrhizal flexibility and mycorrhizal dependency, which potentially influence plant distribution and community structure. I propose ways of using these traits for large‐scale synthetic studies for understanding the role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in vegetation dynamics. I suggest considering plant community mycorrhization – community means of mycorrhizal traits weighted by plant species abundances – and suggest an index of mycorrhization to describe the mycorrhizal trait composition of plant communities.     

Gibberellins, brassinosteroids and light-regulated development

The regulation of plant development by light requires the action of several well-studied plant hormones. However, the mechanism by which light and hormones affect identical developmental responses remains unclear. Recently, studies of mutants altered in light signal perception or transduction have suggested a role for gibberellins and brassinosteroids in light-regulated development. For instance, mutants in the major light-stable phytochrome from several plant species exhibit altered responsiveness to, or metabolism of, gibberellins. In contrast, mutants that develop as light-grown plants in the absence of light have implicated a role for brassinosteroids in the control of cell elongation, the expression of photoregulated genes, and the promotion of apical dominance, leaf senescence and male fertility. Future studies should help elucidate whether light and hormones independently affect these developmental responses or whether hormones are involved in the sequence of events initiated by excitation of photoreceptors.     

Histidine biosynthesis in plants

Summary. The study of histidine metabolism has never been at the forefront of interest in plant systems despite the significant role that the analysis of this pathway has played in development of the field of molecular genetics in microbes. With the advent of methods to analyze plant gene function by complementation of microbial auxotrophic mutants and the complete analysis of plant genome sequences, strides have been made in deciphering the histidine pathway in plants. The studies point to a complex evolutionary origin of genes for histidine biosynthesis. Gene regulation studies have indicated novel regulatory networks involving histidine. In addition, physiological studies have indicated novel functions for histidine in plants as chelators and transporters of metal ions. Recent investigations have revealed intriguing connections of histidine in plant reproduction. The exciting new information suggests that the study of plant histidine biosynthesis has finally begun to flower.     

Eco-evolutionary dynamics in herbivorous insect communities mediated by induced plant responses

It is increasingly recognized that the ecology of communities and evolution of species within communities are interdependent, and researchers have been paying attention to this rapidly emerging field of research, i.e., through studies on eco-evolutionary dynamics. Most of the studies on eco-evolutionary dynamics have been concerned with direct trophic interactions. However, community ecologists have shown that trait-mediated indirect effects play an important role in shaping the structure of natural communities. In particular, in terrestrial plant–insect systems, indirect effects mediated through herbivore-induced plant responses are common and have a great impact on the structure of herbivore communities. This review describes eco-evolutionary dynamics in herbivorous insect communities, and specifically focuses on the key role of herbivore-induced plant responses in eco-evolutionary dynamics. First, I review studies on the evolution of herbivore traits relevant to plant induction and discuss evolution in a community context mediated by induced plant responses. Second, I highlight how intraspecific genetic variation or evolution in herbivore traits can influence herbivore community structure. Finally, I propose the hypothetical model that induced plant responses supports eco-evolutionary feedback in herbivore communities. In this review, I argue that the application of the indirect interaction web approaches into studies on eco-evolutionary will provide profound insights into understanding of mechanisms of the generation and maintenance of biodiversity.     

Plant-mediated effects in the Brassicaceae on the performance and behaviour of parasitoids

Direct and indirect plant defences are well studied, particularly in the Brassicaceae. Glucosinolates (GS) are secondary plant compounds characteristic in this plant family. They play an important role in defence against herbivores and pathogens. Insect herbivores that are specialists on brassicaceous plant species have evolved adaptations to excrete or detoxify GS. Other insect herbivores may even sequester GS and employ them as defence against their own antagonists, such as predators. Moreover, high levels of GS in the food plants of non-sequestering herbivores can negatively affect the growth and survival of their parasitoids. In addition to allelochemicals, plants produce volatile chemicals when damaged by herbivores. These herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPV) have been demonstrated to play an important role in foraging behaviour of insect parasitoids. In addition, biosynthetic pathways involved in the production of HIPV are being unraveled using the model plant Arabidopsis thialiana. However, the majority of studies investigating the attractiveness of HIPV to parasitoids are based on experiments mainly using crop plant species in which defence traits may have changed through artificial selection. Field studies with both cultivated and wild crucifers, the latter in which defence traits are intact, are necessary to reveal the relative importance of direct and indirect plant defence strategies on parasitoid and plant fitness. Future research should also consider the potential conflict between direct and indirect plant defences when studying the evolution of plant defences against insect herbivory.     

GST profile expression study in some selected plants: in silico approach

Glutathione acts as a protein disulfide reductant, which detoxifies herbicides by conjugation, either spontaneously or by the activity of one of a number of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), and regulates gene expression in response to environmental stress and pathogen attack. GSTs play role in both normal cellular metabolism as well as in the detoxification of a wide variety of xenobiotic compounds, and they have been intensively studied with regard to herbicide detoxification in plants. A newly discovered plant GST subclass has been implicated in numerous stress responses, including those arising from pathogen attack, oxidative stress, and heavy-metal toxicity. In addition, plant GSTs play a role in the cellular response to auxins and during the normal metabolism of plant secondary products like anthocyanins and cinnamic acid. The present study involves two in silico analytical approaches—general secondary structure prediction studies of the proteins and detailed signature pattern studies of some selected GST classes in Arabdiopsis thaliana, Mustard, Maize, and Bread wheat by standard Bioinformatics tools; structure prediction tools; signature pattern tools; and the evolutionary trends were analyzed by ClustalW. For this purpose, sequences were obtained from standard databases. The study reveals that these proteins are mainly alpha helical in nature with specific signature pattern similar to phosphokinase C, tyrosine kinase, and casein kinase II proteins, which are closely related to plant oxidative stress. This study aims to comprehend the relationship of GST gene family and plant oxidative stress with respect to certain specific conserved motifs, which may help in future studies for screening of biomodulators involved in plant stress metabolism.     

The role of ethylene in plant temperature stress response

Temperature influences the seasonal growth and geographical distribution of plants. Heat or cold stress occur when temperatures exceed or fall below the physiological optimum ranges, resulting in detrimental and irreversible damage to plant growth, development, and yield. Ethylene is a gaseous phytohormone with an important role in plant development and multiple stress responses. Recent studies have shown that, in many plant species, both heat and cold stress affect ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the role of ethylene in plant temperature stress responses and its crosstalk with other phytohormones. We also discuss potential strategies and knowledge gaps that need to be adopted and filled to develop temperature stress-tolerant crops by optimizing ethylene response.     

Cytokinins in plant senescence: From spray and pray to clone and play

Three approaches have been used to investigate the inhibitory role of the cytokinin class of phytohormones in plant senescence: external application of cytokinins, measurement of endogenous cytokinin levels before and during senescence, and manipulation of endogenous cytokinin production in transgenic plants. In transgenic plant studies, endogenous cytokinin levels are manipulated by expression of IPT, a gene encoding isopentenyl transferase. Transgenic plants expressing IPT from a variety of promoters exhibit developmental and morphological alterations and often display retarded leaf senescence. A recently developed autoregulatory senescence-inhibition system targets cytokinin production quantitatively, spatially and temporally, and results in transgenic plants that exhibit significantly delayed senescence without abnormalities. These transgenic studies not only confirm the regulatory role of cytokinins in plant senescence, but also provide a way to manipulate senescence for potential agricultural applications.     

植物DNA甲基化变异对生物和非生物胁迫的响应机制

高等植物具有复杂的机制使其对环境的变化做出响应,这种机制是通过长期进化建立起来的.它们能够对出现的生物和非生物胁迫产生响应.在分子水平上,植物对各种胁迫的响应是受多基因表达变化调控的,包括植物激素水杨酸、脱落酸等信号途径在整合、协调植物胁迫过程中起关键作用.近年来的研究表明,在植物响应胁迫这一过程中还进行着表观遗传调控...     

Role of rhizobial lipo-chitin oligosaccharide signal molecules in root nodule organogenesis

The role of oligosaccharide molecules in plant development is discussed. In particular the role of the rhizobial lipo-chitin oligosaccharide (LCO) signal molecules in the development of the root nodule indicates that oligosaccharides play an important role in organogenesis in plants. Recent results of the analyses of structures and of the biosynthesis of the LCO molecules are summarized in this paper. The knowledge and technologies that resulted from these studies will be important tools for further studying the function of LCO signals in the plant and in the search for analogous signal molecules produced by plants.     

Role of plant hormones in plant defence responses

Plant hormones play important roles in regulating developmental processes and signaling networks involved in plant responses to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Significant progress has been made in identifying the key components and understanding the role of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonates (JA) and ethylene (ET) in plant responses to biotic stresses. Recent studies indicate that other hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, gibberellic acid (GA), cytokinin (CK), brassinosteroids (BR) and peptide hormones are also implicated in plant defence signaling pathways but their role in plant defence is less well studied. Here, we review recent advances made in understanding the role of these hormones in modulating plant defence responses against various diseases and pests.     

植物抗冻机理研究新进展：抗冻基因表达及其功能

综述了迄今业已分离和鉴定的低温诱导表达的抗冻基因,以及通过染色体基因制图方法揭示和证实的抗冻性基因。并着重地介绍了这些抗冻基因在提高植物抗冻能力上的功能。这些抗冻基因表达合成的新多肽具有高度的亲水性,起着保护和稳定细胞膜结构的作用,从而防止冰冻伤害、提高植物的抗冻能力。同时还介绍了抗冻基因表达中的某些调节因子,其中尤其值得注意的是,CBF基因似乎有可能作为抗冻基因表达的“主开关”,以及Ca2+作为植物细胞的第二信使在传递低温信号、启动和调节抗冻基因表达中可能的重要作用。这些研究结果,不仅为阐明植物的抗冻机理提供了新的证据,而且为改良农作物的抗寒性提供了新的启示。     

Arabidopsis thaliana--a model organism to study plant peroxisomes

In higher plants, peroxisomes have been believed to play a pivotal role in three metabolic pathways, which are lipid breakdown, photorespiration and H2O2-detoxificaton. Recently, significant progress in the study of plant peroxisomes was established by forward-/reverse-genetics and post-genomic approaches using Arabidopsis thaliana, the first higher plant to have its entire genome sequenced. These studies illustrated that plant peroxisomes have more diverse functions than we previously thought. Research using Arabidopsis thaliana is improving our understanding of the function of plant peroxisomes.     

植物抗冻机理研究新进展：抗冻基因表达及其功能

综述了迄今业已分离和鉴定的低温诱导表达的抗冻基因,以及通过染色体基因制图方法褐示和证实的抗冻性基因,并着重地介绍了这些抗冻基因在提高植物抗冻能力上的功能。这些抗冻基因表达合成的新多肽具3有高度的亲水性,起着保护和稳定细胞膜结构的作用,从而防止冰冻伤害,提高植物的抗冻能力,同时还介绍了抗冻基因表达中的某些调节因子,其中尤其值得注意的是,CBF基因似乎有可能作为抗冻基因表达的“主开关”,以及Ca^2 作为植物细胞的第二信使在传递低温信号,启动和调节抗冻基因表达中可能的重要作用,这些研究结果,不仅为阐明植物的抗冻机理提供了新的证据,而且为改良农作物的抗寒性提供了新的启示。     

Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins in plants

Cytosine methylation is the most prevalent epigenetic modification of plant nuclear DNA, which occurs in symmetrical CpG or CpNpG as well as in non-symmetrical contexts. Intensive studies demonstrated the central role played by cytosine methylation in genome organization, gene expression and in plant growth and development. However, the way by which the methyl group is interpreted into a functional state has only recently begun to be explored with the isolation and characterization of methylated DNA binding proteins capable of binding 5-methylcytosine. These proteins belong to an evolutionary conserved protein family initially described in animals termed methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins. Here, we highlight recent advances and present new prospects concerning plant MBD proteins and their possible role in controlling chromatin structure mediated by CpG methylation.