title: The Sesquiterpenes(E)-ß-Farnesene and (E)-α-Bergamotene Quench Ozone but Fail to Protect the Wild Tobacco Nicotiana attenuata from Ozone, UVB, and Drought Stresses.
abstract: Among the terpenes, isoprene (C5) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (C10) have been shown to ameliorate abiotic stress in a number of plant species via two proposed mechanisms: membrane stabilization and direct antioxidant effects. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (C15) not only share the structural properties thought to lend protective qualities to isoprene and monoterpene hydrocarbons, but also react rapidly with ozone, suggesting that sesquiterpenes may similarly enhance tolerance of abiotic stresses. To test whether sesquiterpenes protect plants against ozone, UVB light, or drought, we used transgenic lines of the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata. The transgenic plants expressed a maize terpene synthase gene (ZmTPS10) which produced a blend of (E)-ß-farnesene and (E)-α-bergamotene, or a point mutant of the same gene (ZmTPS10M) which produced (E)-ß-farnesene alone,. (E)-ß-farnesene exerted a local, external, and transient ozone-quenching effect in ozone-fumigated chambers, but we found no evidence that enhanced sesquiterpene production by the plant inhibited oxidative damage, or maintained photosynthetic function or plant fitness under acute or chronic stress. Although the sesquiterpenes (E)-ß-farnesene and (E)-α-bergamotene might confer benefits under intermittent heat stress, which was not tested, any roles in relieving abiotic stress may be secondary to their previously demonstrated functions in biotic interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Evan C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Palmer-Young
authors.affiliation: Technical Service, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veit
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gershenzon
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Meredith C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Schuman
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055864:Droughts; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C423904:alpha-bergamotene; D010126:Ozone; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C108877:terpene synthase