Short chain oligogalacturonides induce ethylene production and expression of the gene encoding aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid oxidase in tomato plants.
Oligogalacturonic acids (OGAs), derived from plant cell wall pectin, have been implicated in a number of signal transduction pathways involved in growth, development and defense responses of higher plants. This study investigates the size range of OGAs capable of inducing ethylene synthesis in tomato plants, and demonstrates that in contrast with many other effects, only short chain OGAs are active. Oligomers across a range of DP from 2-15 were separated and purified to homogeneity by QAE-Sephadex anion exchange chromatography using a novel elution system. The OGAs were applied to tomato plants and assayed for their ability to induce ethylene gas release and changes in steady state levels of mRNA encoding the ethylene forming enzyme aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO). The study demonstrated that only OGAs in the size range of DP4-6 were active both in eliciting ACO expression and in the production of ethylene.
Simpson
S D
SD
The Plant Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of York, P O Box 373, York, YO1 5YW, UK.
Ashford
D A
DA
Harvey
D J
DJ
Bowles
D J
DJ
D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics*; D002021:Buffers; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents
D002021:Buffers; D005030:Ethylenes; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012997:Solvents; C007819:galacturonic acid; C036216:ethylene; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; C059460:1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase