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Methyl jasmonate effects on ethylene synthesis and organ-specific senescence in Helianthus annuus seedlings

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Abstract

Both methyl jasmonate (MJ) and ethylene have been implicated in promoting senescence, but the specific roles of each and the mechanisms by which they act are not well known. We tested the possibility that MJ and ethylene interact to promote senescence. In sunflower seedlings, the ability of MJ to affect ethylene metabolism was investigated in hypocotyls, cotyledons, and leaves. 1-aminocylcopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-dependent ethylene production was promoted to different extents depending on the organ and the age of the tissue. Newly emerged hypocotyls were sensitive to MJ, but became desensitized as the cotyledons emerged. The cotyledons increased and peaked in MJ sensitivity from emergence to the production of the primary leaves. Leaves were found to be somewhat insensitive to MJ treatment compared to cotyledons at all ages tested. In cotyledons, MJ also promoted ACC and ethylene production. However the changes in ACC, and ACC-dependent ethylene production were not directly correlated with those in ethylene production with respect to MJ concentration or tissue age. Moreover, changes in ACC-dependent ethylene production did not correlate with in vitro ACC oxidase activity. We hypothesized that MJ affects ethylene production by increasing the spatial access of ACC to ACC oxidase perhaps through increased membrane permeability. Ethylene was not involved in the MJ-induced loss of chlorophyll. But the breakdown of cell integrity and cell membranes (estimated by monitoring conductivity of the solution that bathed the cotyledons) was greatly and synergistically promoted by the combination of MJ and ethylene. Promotion of membrane breakdown by MJ and ethylene could be inhibited by treatments with ethylene inhibitors (STS or CoCl2), and neither MJ nor ACC treatment alone could induce as much membrane breakdown as both together. We suggest that MJ and ethylene interact to accelerate some aspects of senescence in specific organs for nutrient remobilization for the benefit of the whole plant.

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Abbreviations

ACC:

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid

MJ:

methyl jasmonate

STS:

silver thiosulphate

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Author notes

  1. R. J. N. Emery

    Present address: Botany Department, University of Western Australia, 6907, Nedlands, Perth, WA, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Physiology Research Group, Dept. of Biological Sciences, The University of Calgary, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    R. J. N. Emery & D. M. Reid

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  2. D. M. Reid
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Emery, R.J.N., Reid, D.M. Methyl jasmonate effects on ethylene synthesis and organ-specific senescence in Helianthus annuus seedlings. Plant Growth Regul 18, 213–222 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024385

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024385

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