Controlled hydroxylations of diterpenoids allow for plant chemical defense without autotoxicity
Jiancai Li, Rayko Halitschke, Dapeng Li, Christian Paetz, Haichao Su, Sven Heiling, Shuqing Xu, Ian T. Baldwin
Abstract
causes severe autotoxicity symptoms that result from the inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis by noncontrolled hydroxylated diterpene derivatives. Moreover, the diterpenes' defensive function is achieved by inhibiting herbivore sphingolipid biosynthesis through postingestive backbone hydroxylation products. Thus, by regulating metabolic modifications, tobacco plants avoid autotoxicity and gain herbivore defense. The postdigestive duet that occurs between plants and their insect herbivores can reflect the plant's solutions to the "toxic waste dump" problem of using potent chemical defenses.
Topics & Concepts
DiterpeneBiosynthesisBiologyPlant defense against herbivoryHydroxylationCytochrome P450BiochemistryOxylipinHerbivoreSphingolipidChemical defenseBotanyMetabolismEnzymeGenePlant biochemistry and biosynthesisPlant Parasitism and ResistancePlant and animal studies