title: (Z)-3-Hexenol induces defense genes and downstream metabolites in maize.
abstract: In response to insect feeding, corn plants (Zea mays cv. Delprim) release elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including the C(6)-volatile (Z)-3-hexenol. The level of mRNA accumulation for a series of defense genes was monitored in response to application of (Z)-3-hexenol (50 nmol) to undamaged plants. The induction of transcripts for hpl (hydroperoxide lyase), fps (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase), pal (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), lox (lipoxygenase), igl (indole-3-glycerol phosphate lyase) and mpi (maize proteinase inhibitor) were compared with metabolites generated from the respective pathways. While headspace VOC analysis showed an increase in (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and methyl salicylate with lox and pal induction, respectively, MPI accumulation was not observed with an increase in mpi transcripts. Moreover, (Z)-3-hexenol treatment did not elevate sesquiterpene emissions or activate fps transcription. Chemical labeling and bioassay experiments established that exogenous (Z)-3-hexenol can be taken up and converted to a less active acetylated form. These data indicate that (Z)-3-hexenol can serve as a signaling molecule that triggers defense responses in maize and can rapidly be turned over in planta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1061, USA.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fokar
authors.forename: Haggag
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abd
authors.forename: Huiming
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Randy D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Paré
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects*; D000441:Hexanols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054883:Oxylipins; D010650:Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018411:Spodoptera / Q000502:physiology; D014835:Volatilization; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D000441:Hexanols; D007211:Indoles; D054883:Oxylipins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C051918:3-hexen-1-ol; C023578:proteinase inhibitor I (plants); C072239:methyl jasmonate; D008084:Lipoxygenase; D010650:Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase