Arabidopsis myrosinases link the glucosinolate-myrosinase system and the cuticle

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 15:6:38990. doi: 10.1038/srep38990.

Abstract

Both physical barriers and reactive phytochemicals represent two important components of a plant's defence system against environmental stress. However, these two defence systems have generally been studied independently. Here, we have taken an exclusive opportunity to investigate the connection between a chemical-based plant defence system, represented by the glucosinolate-myrosinase system, and a physical barrier, represented by the cuticle, using Arabidopsis myrosinase (thioglucosidase; TGG) mutants. The tgg1, single and tgg1 tgg2 double mutants showed morphological changes compared to wild-type plants visible as changes in pavement cells, stomatal cells and the ultrastructure of the cuticle. Extensive metabolite analyses of leaves from tgg mutants and wild-type Arabidopsis plants showed altered levels of cuticular fatty acids, fatty acid phytyl esters, glucosinolates, and indole compounds in tgg single and double mutants as compared to wild-type plants. These results point to a close and novel association between chemical defence systems and physical defence barriers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / ultrastructure
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glucosinolates / genetics
  • Glucosinolates / metabolism*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Plant Stomata / genetics
  • Plant Stomata / metabolism*
  • Plant Stomata / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Glucosinolates
  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • TGG1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • TGG2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • thioglucosidase