Methyl jasmonate-dependent senescence of cotyledons in Ipomoea nil

E Wilmowicz,A Kućko,K Marciniak,M Świdziński,J Kopcewicz,K Frankowski

doi:10.1007/s11738-016-2244-1

E Wilmowicz, A Kućko + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-016-2244-1

Copy DOI

Journal: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum	Publication Date: Aug 26, 2016
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Nicolaus Copernicus University

Abstract

Jasmonic acid methyl ester (JAMe) has been recently shown to play a crucial role in many physiological processes. In this paper, we focused on cotyledon senescence in Ipomoea nil and revealed that JAMe and darkness are the main factors stimulating the process examined. What is more, we showed that mefenamic acid (a jasmonate biosynthesis inhibitor) reverses the stimulatory effect of darkness on senescence. In plants growing under dark conditions, stimulation of JASMONIC ACID CARBOXYL METHYLTRANSFERASE (InJMT) expression and, consequently, an increase in JAMe content, have been observed. In turn, the level of jasmonic acid (JA) gradually decreased. Moreover, dark-grown seedlings demonstrated a lower PSII functional activity and a reduced chlorophyll content and autofluorescence. All of these data suggest that JAMe is a signal molecule controlling the senescence of cotyledons in I. nil.

Highlights

The senescence of cotyledons is the final stage of their development
We showed that mefenamic acid reverses the stimulatory effect of darkness on senescence
In our former investigation, we showed that Jasmonic acid methyl ester (JAMe) is an inhibitor of photoperiodic flower induction in model short-day plant (SDP) Ipomoea nil, in which the cotyledons are responsible for the perception of light stimuli (Kesy et al 2011; Maciejewska and Kopcewicz 2002; Maciejewska et al 2004)

Summary

Introduction

The senescence of cotyledons is the final stage of their development. This process is an integrated response of these organs to age information and other environmental signals, both internal and external, such as stresses of salinity, nutrient limitation or darkness (Bouchard and Yamasaki 2008; Corpas et al 2009; Du et al 2014; Ma et al 2008; Neill et al 2008; Xuan et al 2010; Zhao et al 2009). In the final stage of cotyledon senescence, the mitochondria are degraded, oxidative phosphorylation intensity is decreased, and the tonoplast and nuclear membrane are interrupted, all of which lead to irreversible changes in the structures of the cytoplasm and the nucleus, as well as to the accumulation of secondary metabolites (Lim et al 2007; Peterman and Siedow 1985).

Methods

Results

Conclusion