title: β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA)-induced resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana: link with iron homeostasis.
abstract: β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a nonprotein amino acid inducing resistance in many different plant species against a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses. Nevertheless, how BABA primes plant natural defense reactions remains poorly understood. Based on its structure, we hypothesized and confirmed that BABA is able to chelate iron (Fe) in vitro. In vivo, we showed that it led to a transient Fe deficiency response in Arabidopsis thaliana plants exemplified by a reduction of ferritin accumulation and disturbances in the expression of genes related to Fe homeostasis. This response was not correlated to changes in Fe concentrations, suggesting that BABA affects the availability or the distribution of Fe rather than its assimilation. The phenotype of BABA-treated plants was similar to those of plants cultivated in Fe-deficient conditions. A metabolomic analysis indicated that both BABA and Fe deficiency induced the accumulation of common metabolites, including p-coumaroylagmatine, a metabolite previously shown to be synthesized in several plant species facing pathogen attack. Finally, we showed that the protective effect induced by BABA against Botrytis cinerea was mimicked by Fe deficiency. In conclusion, the Fe deficiency response caused by BABA could bring the plant to a defense-ready state, participating in the plant resistance against the pathogens.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koen
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trapet
authors.forename: Daphnée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brulé
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulik
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klinguer
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Atauri-Miranda
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meunier-Prest
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: Gaétan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Glauser
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mauch-Mani
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wendehenne
authors.forename: Angélique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Besson-Bard
mesh_terms: D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D020171:Botrytis / Q000502:physiology*; D060467:Disease Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D006706:Homeostasis; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055432:Metabolomics; D010641:Phenotype; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000613:Aminobutyrates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; C047667:3-aminobutyric acid; D007501:Iron