Abscisic Acid and Ethylene Increase in Heterodera avenae-infected Tolerant or Intolerant Oat Cultivars

The relationship between root stunting caused by the cereal cyst nematode and levels of two root growth inhibiting hormones, abscisic acid and ethylene, was investigated in aseptically cultured root segments and in intact roots of two oat cultivars differing in tolerance to the nematode. Cultured root segments of oat cultivars New Zealand Cape (tolerant) and Sual (intolerant) were inoculated with sterilized Heterodera avenae second-stage juveniles. Suppressed growth of root axes and emerged laterals following nematode penetration corresponded to an increase in abscisic acid and ethylene in roots of both intolerant and tolerant cultivars. When the experiment was repeated on intact root systems, nematodes retarded root growth of Sual more than New Zealand Cape despite an increase in ABA and ethylene in both cultivars. Abscisic acid and (or) ethylene may be involved in growth inhibition of H. avenae-infected roots but appear to play no direct role in determining tolerance.     

Abscisic acid increases membrane permeability by interacting with phosphatidylethanolamine

Abscisic acid is shown to enhance the permeability of crude egg lecithin and asolectin bilayers to water, urea and erythritol although it exhibits no effect on pure synthetic (phosphatidylethanolamine-free) dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers. Addition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers at 10 or 20 membrane mole percent makes the membrane permeability responsive to abscisic acid. An abscisic acid-phosphatidylethanolamine interaction is also described for liposome aggregation. Both abscisic acid-induced permeability and aggregation changes are pH dependent with the undissociated form of the hormone exhibiting a greater effect than the dissociated, charged form. Enhancement of erythritol permeability is greater with the physiologically active cis-trans ABA isomer than with the inactive trans-trans isomer.     

Quantification of abscisic Acid in a single maize root

Quantitative analyses of abscisic acid in the elongating zone of a single maize root (Zea mays L. cv LG 11) were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using negative chemical ion ionization. Data showed that the more abscisic acid, the slower the growth, but a large dispersion of individual values was observed. We assume that abscisic acid is perhaps not correlated only to the growth rate.     

The role of abscisic Acid in cross-adaptation of tobacco plants

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana rustica L.) pre-exposed to leaf dehydration, mineral deprivation, salination, or BO₃³⁻ toxicity exhibited increased resistance to subzero temperature and to reduced oxygen in the root medium. The stressed plants all showed an elevated content of leaf abscisic acid. Upon transfer of mineral deprived and salinated plants to prestress conditions, a decline in leaf abscisic acid content to prestress levels took place together with a loss of the increased resistance to subzero temperature and to deprivation of root oxygen. Treatment with abscisic acid by direct application to the leaves or by addition to the root medium improved leaf resistance to subzero temperature and to deprivation of root oxygen. A common hormone-regulation mechanism involving abscisic acid is suggested for this phenomenon of “cross-adaptation” by which a given stress confers increased resistance to other, apparently unrelated stresses.     

Indoleacetic Acid and Abscisic Acid Antagonism: II. On the Phytochrome-Mediated Attachment of Barley Root Tips on Glass

The phytochrome-mediated attachment of mung bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Oklahoma 612) root tips on glass is quickly affected by indoleactic acid and abscisic acid at concentrations of 10 nm or less. Indoleacetic acid induces detachment, whereas abscisic acid induces attachment. Both plant regulators rapidly antagonize the action of the other. None of several cytokinins, gibberellins, and ethylene tested over a wide range in concentration had any effect on either attachment or detachment of root tips. It is postulated that phytochrome could control the endogenous levels of indoleacetic acid and abscisic acid and perhaps other hormones under certain circumstances, that this action is the first process initiated by phytochrome, and that indoleacetic acid and abscisic acid act on the plasmalemma to bring about opposing changes in the surface electric charges of plant cells.     

Amelioration of chilling-induced water stress by abscisic Acid-induced changes in root hydraulic conductance

Pretreatment of soybean (Glycine max L. var Ransom) root systems with abscisic acid (ABA) ameliorates the deleterious effect of low temperatures on root hydraulic conductance. ABA treatment of root systems subsequently chilled to 10°C with shoots at 25°C resulted in higher leaf water potentials and lower stomatal resistances. If the root systems are left at 25°C, ABA causes stomatal closure. Membrane alterations are suggested as a mechanism for the ABA action in plant response to chilling stress.     

Abscisic Acid transport coefficients of phaseolus root systems

Diffusive and convective transport coefficients of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Ouray root systems for abscisic acid for (ABA) were measured. The convective coefficient (reflection coefficient or osmotic efficiency factor) σ was determined to be 0.96 for ABA while the diffusive coefficient, ω, was found to be 1.44 × 10⁻¹¹ mole per square centimeter per second per bar. Steady-state concentrations of ABA in the root system exudates were not achieved until at least three hours after the applications suggesting either a slow saturation of binding sites or equilibration with tissues surrounding the xylem.     

Effects of fluridone and abscisic acid on lateral root initiation and root elongation of excised tomato roots cultured in vitro

Roots of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Bonny Best) were excised and cultured in the presence of the abscisic acid synthesis inhibitor fluridone, and with concentrations of exogenous abscisic acid ranging from 10⁻¹⁰to 10⁻⁴M to determine the effects of abscisic acid and its synthesis inhibition on the development of lateral roots in in vitro cultured tomato roots. Exogenous abscisic acid inhibited lateral root initiation and emergence at concentrations of 10⁻⁶M and greater. Fluridone (10⁻⁶M) enhanced the formation of lateral roots even in the presence of abscisic acid, at all concentrations tested except 10⁻⁴M. Abscisic acid increased apical distance, and fluridone reduced it up to 10⁻⁵M abscisic acid. Both fluridone and abscisic acid reduced lateral and primary root lengths. It was concluded the endogenous abscisic acid is probably involved in the regulation of lateral root initiation and root apical dominance, and that abscisic acid may affect lateral root initiation differently than lateral root emergence. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Abnormal stomatal behavior and root resistance,and hormonal imbalance in three wilty mutants of tomato

Three wilty mutants of tomato, flacca, sitiens, and notabilis, were compared with two control normal cultivars, Rheinlands Ruhm and Lukullus, for concentration of abscisic acid and root resistance to water flow. In addition, the three mutants treated with abscisic acid during development were compared with control mutant plants for stomatal opening and root resistance. The hormonal concentration was estimated by coleoptile assay and gas chromatography. Stomatal opening was estimated by measuring rate of transpiration and by examining leaf imprints. Root resistance was estimated by measuring the amount of exudate from roots of decapitated plants and the difference between the osmotic pressure of the exudate and the root medium. A lower level of abscisic acid was found in all three mutants as compared with the control normal plants. In addition, root resistance to water flow was higher in the three mutants than in the control normal types. All three mutants completely reverted to normal phenotypically, including stomatal and root resistances, when treated with abscisic acid. It has been suggested that the first hormonal change in the mutants is that of abscisic acid, and from it proceed the other changes.This work was supported in part by a research grant from the Ford Foundation (Ford-6, A-VII).     

Abscisic Acid stimulates elongation of excised pea root tips

Excised Pisum sativum L. root tips were incubated in a pH 5.2 sucrose medium containing abscisic acid. Elongation growth was inhibited by 100 mum abscisic acid. However, decreasing the abscisic acid concentration caused stimulation of elongation, the maximum response (25% to 30%) occurring at 1 mum abscisic acid. Prior to two hours, stimulation of elongation by 1 mum abscisic acid was not detectable. Increased elongation did not occur in abscisic acid-treated root tips of Lens culinaris L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., or Zea mays L.     

Abscisic Aldehyde Is an Intermediate in the Enzymatic Conversion of Xanthoxin to Abscisic Acid in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Leaves

The enzymatic conversion of xanthoxin to abscisic acid by cell-free extracts of Phaseolus vulgaris L. leaves has been found to be a two-step reaction catalyzed by two different enzymes. Xanthoxin was first converted to abscisic aldehyde followed by conversion of the latter to abscisic acid. The enzyme activity catalyzing the synthesis of abscisic aldehyde from xanthoxin (xanthoxin oxidase) was present in cell-free leaf extracts from both wild type and the abscisic acid-deficient molybdopterin cofactor mutant, Az34 (nar2a) of Hordeum vulgare L. However, the enzyme activity catalyzing the synthesis of abscisic acid from abscisic aldehyde (abscisic aldehyde oxidase) was present only in extracts of the wild type and no activity could be detected in either turgid or water stressed leaf extracts of the Az34 mutant. Furthermore, the wilty tomato mutants, sitiens and flacca, which do not accumulate abscisic acid in response to water stress, have been shown to lack abscisic aldehyde oxidase activity. When this enzyme fraction was isolated from leaf extracts of P. vulgaris L. and added to extracts prepared from sitiens and flacca, xanthoxin was converted to abscisic acid. Abscisic aldehyde oxidase has been purified about 145-fold from P. vulgaris L. leaves. It exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 7.25 in potassium phosphate buffer.     

Characterization and Role of an Endogenous Inhibitor in the Induction of Cold Hardiness in Acer negundo

An inhibitor extracted from short day treated Acer negundo leaves was compared to abscisic acid in 4 different solvent systems. The chromatographic properties of abscisic acid and the inhibitor were in very close agreement. Treatment of Acer negundo plants under non-hardening preconditions (long days) with either the inhibitor or abscisic acid increased hardiness after a hardening period of 3 weeks at 40°. A gibberellin-inhibitor relationship was further studied by making comparison of extracts of plants subjected to either 4 weeks of long days, long days + 5° nights, or short days. These tests indicated that gibberellin-like activity was greatest when the treatment included long days. Abscisic acid-like levels were highest when the treatments consisted of short days or long days + 5° nights. Since the latter groups are the most capable of developing hardiness, the hardening process appears to be more closely related to a build-up of abscisic acid levels than a reduction of gibberellin levels.     

7′-hydroxy (−)-R-abscisic acid: A metabolite of feeding (−)-R-abscisic acid to Xanthium strumarium

Feeding of(±)-abscisic acid to leaves of Xanthium strumarium resulted in formation of a new metabolite. The compound was identified as 7′-hydroxy (−)-R-abscisic acid by high resolution mass spectrometry of its methyl ester and monoacetate, and by optical rotary dispersion. The numbering system for abscisic acid has been extended to include the exocyclic methyl groups. Feeding racemic [2-¹⁴C]abscisic acid to Xanthium leaves resulted in ca 20% conversion of the radiolabelled compound into the new metabolite. Evidence is presented that, in Xanthium, only the synthetic (−)-R-enantiomer of abscisic acid is hydroxylated at the 7′-position.     

ABA Uptake in Source and Sink Tissues of Sugar Beet

The mode of abscisic acid (ABA) uptake was studied in excised leaf and root tissue discs of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Discs were incubated in buffered medium that contained 1 mm CaCl₂ and [¹⁴C]ABA. The sensitivity of ABA uptake to metabolic inhibitors and temperature indicated that the ABA transport system had an energy-dependent component. Energy-dependent uptake was greater in leaf than in root tissue (70% and 50%, respectively). Energy-dependent uptake by both tissues and passive uptake by root tissues were highly pH dependent. Maximal uptake was observed at pH 5.5. Leaf tissue incubated in the dark showed a 50% reduction of uptake as compared with tissue under light. The decrease was due to reduced passive uptake.     

Rapid growth inhibition of Avena coleoptile segments by abscisic Acid

An angular position sensing transducer was used to make continuous measurements of elongation of a column of Avena sativa coleoptile segments. Elongation stimulated by 2 μm indoleacetic acid was inhibited by 0.1 mm abscisic acid with a latent period of about 4 or 5 minutes at pH 6.0, 30 C. Full growth inhibition was not established until about 1 hour after the addition of the abscisic acid. The same degree of final growth inhibition could be obtained under the above conditions using 10 μM and 1 μM abscisic acid, but the latent period was longer. Pretreatments with abscisic acid affected the growth rate but did not extend the latent period of a subsequent response to auxin. The short term kinetics of inhibition by abscisic acid were not similar to those of any of the inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis tested in this system.     

The root of ABA action in environmental stress response

The growth and development of plants are influenced by the integration of diverse endogenous and environmental signals. Acting as a mediator of extrinsic signals, the stress hormone, abscisic acid (ABA), has been shown to regulate many aspects of plant development in response to unfavourable environmental stresses, allowing the plant to cope and survive in adverse conditions, such as drought, low or high temperature, or high salinity. Here, we summarize recent evidence on the roles of ABA in environmental stress responses in the Arabidopsis root; and on how ABA crosstalks with other phytohormones to modulate root development and growth in Arabidopsis. We also review literature findings showing that, in response to environmental stresses, ABA affects the root system architecture in other plant species, such as rice.     

Abscisic Acid in relation to mineral deprivation

Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) plants growing in half-strength Hoagland solution were deprived of nutrients by being transferred to distilled water. The abscisic acid content of leaves in the mineral-deprived plants rose continuously throughout the 7 days of the experimental period. However, although the content of ABA rose within 24 hours, a decline in growth and leaf-chlorophyll were discernible only after the 4th day of mineral deprivation. As anticipated, mineral-deprived (stressed) plants exhibit “resistance” to lack of aeration in the root medium, similar to that shown in salt-stressed plants or plants that were pretreated with absiscic acid. When the mineral-deprived plants were returned to half-strength Hoagland, the content of leaf abscisic acid declined to the prestressed level and the “resistance” to lack of root aeration disappeared.     

Effects of bacterial single inoculation and co-inoculation on growth and phytohormone production of sunflower seedlings under water stress

The purpose of the study was to measure shoot and root dry matter (DM) and production of auxins, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings cultivated under water stress and singly inoculated or co-inoculated with Achromobacter xylosoxidans (SF2) and Bacillus pumilus (SF3 and SF4) bacterial strains. Shoot DM was higher in non-stressed seedlings than in stressed seedlings for all inoculation treatments. Water stress resulted in decreased relative water content and reduction of shoot DM. Root DM was higher in stressed seedlings than in non-stressed seedlings. Salicylic acid was the most abundant phytohormone in shoots of stressed, singly inoculated and co-inoculated seedlings. High salicylic acid content in stressed seedlings suggests that this hormone plays a key role in abiotic stress. Abscisic acid was higher in stressed and co-inoculated seedlings than in non-stressed seedlings but was lower than that of salicylic acid. Auxin profile was similar to that of abscisic acid in co-inoculated seedlings. Shoot jasmonic acid content was increased in stressed seedlings co-inoculated with SF2/SF3 or SF2/SF4. Shoot hormonal profiles were different from those of root, suggesting a differential effect of bacterial inoculation on these plant organs. Our findings will be useful in future strategies to mitigate drought effects on crop plants through bacterial inoculation treatments.     

Abscisic Acid and stomatal regulation

The closure of stomata by abscisic acid was examined in several species of plants through measurements of CO₂ and H₂O exchange by the leaf. The onset of closure was very rapid, beginning at 3 minutes from the time of abscisic acid application to the cut base of the leaf of corn, or at 8 or 9 minutes for bean, Rumex and sugarbeet; rose leaves were relatively slow at 32 minutes. The timing and the concentration of abscisic acid needed to cause closure were related to the amounts of endogenous abscisic acid in the leaf. Closure was obtained in bean leaves with 8.9 picomoles/cm². (+)-Abscisic acid had approximately twice the activity of the racemic material. The methyl ester of abscisic acid was inactive, and trans-abscisic acid was likewise inactive. The effects of stress on levels of endogenous abscisic acid, and the ability of very small amounts of abscisic acid to cause rapid closure suggests that stomatal control is a regulatory function of this hormone.     

Tissue-specific localization of an abscisic acid biosynthetic enzyme, AAO3, in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase 3 (AAO3) is an enzyme involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis in response to drought stress. Since the enzyme catalyzes the last step of the pathway, ABA production sites may be determined by the presence of AAO3. Here, AAO3 localization was investigated using AAO3 promoter:AAO3-GFP transgenic plants and by an immunohistochemical technique. AAO3-GFP protein exhibited an activity to produce ABA from abscisic aldehyde, and the transgene restored the wilty phenotype of the aao3 mutant. GFP-fluorescence was detected in the root tips, vascular bundles of roots, hypocotyls and inflorescence stems, and along the leaf veins. Intense immunofluorescence signals were localized in phloem companion cells and xylem parenchyma cells. Faint but significant GFP- and immuno-fluorescence signals were observed in the leaf guard cells. In situ hybridization with antisense AAO3 mRNA showed AAO3 mRNA expression in the guard cells of dehydrated leaves. These results indicate that the ABA synthesized in vascular systems is transported to various target tissues and cells, and also that the guard cells themselves are able to synthesize ABA.