Methyl jasmonate induces traumatic resin ducts, terpenoid resin biosynthesis, and terpenoid accumulation in developing xylem of Norway spruce stems.
Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) produces an oleoresin characterized by a diverse array of terpenoids, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and diterpene resin acids that can protect conifers against potential herbivores and pathogens. Oleoresin accumulates constitutively in resin ducts in the cortex and phloem (bark) of Norway spruce stems. De novo formation of traumatic resin ducts (TDs) is observed in the developing secondary xylem (wood) after insect attack, fungal elicitation, and mechanical wounding. Here, we characterize the methyl jasmonate-induced formation of TDs in Norway spruce by microscopy, chemical analyses of resin composition, and assays of terpenoid biosynthetic enzymes. The response involves tissue-specific differentiation of TDs, terpenoid accumulation, and induction of enzyme activities of both prenyltransferases and terpene synthases in the developing xylem, a tissue that constitutively lacks axial resin ducts in spruce. The induction of a complex defense response in Norway spruce by methyl jasmonate application provides new avenues to evaluate the role of resin defenses for protection of conifers against destructive pests such as white pine weevils (Pissodes strobi), bark beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytidae), and insect-associated tree pathogens.
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Carl Zeiss Promenade 10, 07745 Jena, Germany.
Diane
D
Martin
Dorothea
D
Tholl
Jonathan
J
Gershenzon
Jörg
J
Bohlmann
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004122:Dimethylallyltranstransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D007313:Insecta / Q000254:growth & development; D019753:Intramolecular Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D054883:Oxylipins; D028222:Picea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D004224:Diterpenes; D054883:Oxylipins; D012116:Resins, Plant; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; C072239:methyl jasmonate; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C108877:terpene synthase; D004122:Dimethylallyltranstransferase; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D019753:Intramolecular Lyases; C040265:pinene cyclase I