Metabolomic Responses of Guard Cells and Mesophyll Cells to Bicarbonate

PLoS One. 2015 Dec 7;10(12):e0144206. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144206. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Anthropogenic CO2 presently at 400 ppm is expected to reach 550 ppm in 2050, an increment expected to affect plant growth and productivity. Paired stomatal guard cells (GCs) are the gate-way for water, CO2, and pathogen, while mesophyll cells (MCs) represent the bulk cell-type of green leaves mainly for photosynthesis. We used the two different cell types, i.e., GCs and MCs from canola (Brassica napus) to profile metabolomic changes upon increased CO2 through supplementation with bicarbonate (HCO3-). Two metabolomics platforms enabled quantification of 268 metabolites in a time-course study to reveal short-term responses. The HCO3- responsive metabolomes of the cell types differed in their responsiveness. The MCs demonstrated increased amino acids, phenylpropanoids, redox metabolites, auxins and cytokinins, all of which were decreased in GCs in response to HCO3-. In addition, the GCs showed differential increases of primary C-metabolites, N-metabolites (e.g., purines and amino acids), and defense-responsive pathways (e.g., alkaloids, phenolics, and flavonoids) as compared to the MCs, indicating differential C/N homeostasis in the cell-types. The metabolomics results provide insights into plant responses and crop productivity under future climatic changes where elevated CO2 conditions are to take center-stage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / biosynthesis
  • Bicarbonates / metabolism*
  • Brassica napus / metabolism*
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
  • Mesophyll Cells / metabolism*
  • Metabolome / physiology*
  • Metabolomics
  • Plant Stomata / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bicarbonates
  • Carbon Dioxide

Grants and funding

This research was supported by National Science Foundation grant MCB-1158000 to SC. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.