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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Jasmonic acid enhances plant cyanogenesis and resistance to herbivory in lima bean
Author(s):		Kautz S; Trisel JA; Ballhorn DJ;
Address:		"Department of Biology, Portland State University, 1719 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR, 97201, USA"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2014
Volume:		20141116
Issue:		11-Dec
Page Number:		1186 - 1196
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-014-0524-z
ISSN/ISBN:		1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Jasmonic acid (JA) is a natural plant hormone ubiquitously distributed in plants and centrally involved in the induction of direct and indirect plant defenses. Defenses up-regulated by this hormone include trichomes--a direct, mechanical defense--and alkaloids--a direct chemical defense--as well as two indirect chemical defenses: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and extrafloral nectar (EFN). Plant cyanogenesis--the release of toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from preformed cyanogenic precursors in fruits, leaves, and seeds of many plants--is recognized as a direct, constitutive plant defensive trait, and is among the most widely distributed of all direct chemical plant defenses. The cyanogenic system in plants is composed of three parameters: The cyanogenic potential (HCNp; concentration of cyanogenic precursors), beta-glucosidase activity, and cyanogenic capacity (HCNc; release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide). Here, we demonstrated that experimental application of aqueous solutions of JA ranging from 0.001 to 1.0 mmol L(-1), as well as insect herbivory significantly enhanced HCNc via the induction of beta-glucosidase activity in wild lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.). In choice feeding trials with JA induced and damaged leaves, adult Mexican bean beetles--natural herbivores of lima bean--rejected leaves with enhanced beta-glucosidase activity and HCNc. Our findings suggest that jasmonic acid plays a critical role in regulating activity of beta-glucosidases, which determines the rate of cyanogenesis, and thus mediates direct plant defense against herbivores"
Keywords:		Animals Coleoptera/growth & development/*physiology Cyclopentanes/*metabolism *Herbivory Hydrogen Cyanide/*metabolism Larva/physiology Oxylipins/*metabolism Phaseolus/*metabolism Plant Leaves/metabolism Random Allocation beta-Glucosidase/metabolism;
Notes:		"MedlineKautz, Stefanie Trisel, Julie A Ballhorn, Daniel J eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2014/11/17 J Chem Ecol. 2014 Dec; 40(11-12):1186-96. doi: 10.1007/s10886-014-0524-z. Epub 2014 Nov 16"