Constitutive overexpression of allene oxide cyclase in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Lukullus) elevates levels of some jasmonates and octadecanoids in flower organs but not in leaves

Phytochemistry. 2004 Apr;65(7):847-56. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.01.016.

Abstract

The allene oxide cyclase (AOC), an enzyme in jasmonate biosynthesis, occurs in vascular bundles and ovules of tomato flowers which exhibit a tissue-specific oxylipin signature (Plant J. 24, 113-126, 2000). Constitutive overexpression of the AOC did not led to altered levels of jasmonates in leaves, but these levels increased upon wounding or other stresses suggesting regulation of jasmonate biosynthesis by substrate availability (Plant J. 33, 577-589, 2003). Here, we show dramatic changes in levels of jasmonic acid (JA), of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), their methyl esters (JAME, OPDAME), and of dinor-OPDA in most flower organs upon constitutive overexpression of AOC. Beside a dominant occurrence of OPDAME and JA in most flower organs, the ratio among the various compounds was altered differentially in the organs of transgenic flowers, e.g. OPDAME increased up to 53-fold in stamen, and JA increased about 51-fold in buds and 7.5-fold in sepals. The increase in jasmonates and octadecanoids was accompanied by decreased levels of free lipid hydro(per)oxy compounds. Except for 16:2, the AOC overexpression led to a significant increase in free but not esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids in all flower organs. The data suggest different regulation of JA biosynthesis in leaves and flowers of tomato.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclopentanes / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / biosynthesis*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / chemistry
  • Flowers / metabolism*
  • Flowers / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / biosynthesis
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Oxylipins
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Solanum lycopersicum / enzymology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics
  • Solanum lycopersicum / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Cyclopentanes
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Oxylipins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • 12-oxophytodienoic acid
  • jasmonic acid
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • hydroperoxide isomerase