| Title: | Isoprene emissions influence herbivore feeding decisions |
| Author(s): | Laothawornkitkul J; Paul ND; Vickers CE; Possell M; Taylor JE; Mullineaux PM; Hewitt CN; |
| Address: | "Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK" |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01849.x |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-3040 (Electronic) 0140-7791 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Isoprene (C(5)H(8), 2-methyl 1,3-butadiene) is synthesized and emitted by many, but not all, plants. Unlike other related volatile organic compounds (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes), isoprene has not been shown to mediate plant-herbivore interactions. Here, for the first time, we show, in feeding choice tests using isoprene-emitting transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun) and non-emitting azygous control plants, that isoprene deters Manduca sexta caterpillars from feeding. This avoidance behaviour was confirmed using an artificial (isoprene-emitting and non-emitting control) diet. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that isoprene can activate feeding avoidance behaviour in this system with a dose-response effect on caterpillar behaviour and an isoprene emission threshold level of <6 nmol m(-2) s(-1)" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Butadienes/*chemistry *Feeding Behavior Food Preferences Hemiterpenes/*chemistry Manduca/*physiology Pentanes/*chemistry Plants, Genetically Modified/chemistry Tobacco/*chemistry/genetics Volatilization;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineLaothawornkitkul, Jullada Paul, Nigel D Vickers, Claudia E Possell, Malcolm Taylor, Jane E Mullineaux, Philip M Hewitt, C Nicholas eng BBS/B/12172/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2008/07/23 Plant Cell Environ. 2008 Oct; 31(10):1410-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01849.x. Epub 2008 Jul 14" |
