title: Methane protects against polyethylene glycol-induced osmotic stress in maize by improving sugar and ascorbic acid metabolism.
abstract: Although aerobic methane (CH4) release from plants leads to an intense scientific and public controversy in the recent years, the potential functions of endogenous CH4production in plants are still largely unknown. Here, we reported that polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress significantly increased CH4production and soluble sugar contents in maize (Zea mays L.) root tissues. These enhancements were more pronounced in the drought stress-tolerant cultivar Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) than in the drought stress-sensitive cultivar Zhongjiangyu No.1 (ZJY1). Exogenously applied 0.65 mM CH4not only increased endogenous CH4production, but also decreased the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. PEG-induced water deficit symptoms, such as decreased biomass and relative water contents in both root and shoot tissues, were also alleviated. These beneficial responses paralleled the increases in the contents of soluble sugar and the reduced ascorbic acid (AsA), and the ratio of AsA/dehydroascorbate (DHA). Further comparison of transcript profiles of some key enzymes in sugar and AsA metabolism suggested that CH4might participate in sugar signaling, which in turn increased AsA production and recycling. Together, these results suggested that CH4might function as a gaseous molecule that enhances osmotic stress tolerance in maize by modulating sugar and AsA metabolism.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Xingliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Kaikai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China.
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Products Processing, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China.
authors.forename: Huali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Jincheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Yuanxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Wenbiao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008697:Methane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010641:Phenotype; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000073893:Sugars / Q000378:metabolism*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D000073893:Sugars; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008697:Methane; D001205:Ascorbic Acid