The plastidial metabolite 2‐<em>C</em>‐methyl‐<em>D</em>‐erythritol‐2,4‐cyclodiphosphate modulates defence responses against aphids

Onkokesung, N; Reichelt, M; Wright, LP; Phillips, MA; Gershenzon, J; Dicke, M

doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13538

The plastidial metabolite 2‐C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol‐2,4‐cyclodiphosphate modulates defence responses against aphids

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nawaporn Onkokesung ORCiD

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Abstract

Feeding by insect herbivores such as caterpillars and aphids induces plant resistance mechanisms that are mediated by the phytohormones jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). These phytohormonal pathways often crosstalk. Besides phytohormones, methyl-D-erythriol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate (MEcPP), the penultimate metabolite in the methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, has been speculated to regulate transcription of nuclear genes in response to biotic stressors such as aphids. Here, we show that MEcPP uniquely enhances the SA pathway without attenuating the JA pathway. Arabidopsis mutant plants that accumulate high levels of MEcPP (hds3) are highly resistant to the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) while resistance to the large cabbage white caterpillar (Pieris brassicae) remains unaltered. Thus, MEcPP is a distinct signaling molecule that acts beyond phytohormonal crosstalk to induce resistance against the cabbage aphid in Arabidopsis. We dissect the molecular mechanisms of MEcPP mediating plant resistance against the aphid B. brassicae. This shows that MEcPP induces the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of several primary and secondary metabolic pathways contributing to enhanced resistance against this aphid species. A unique ability to regulate multifaceted molecular mechanisms makes MEcPP an attractive target for metabolic engineering in Brassica crop plants to increase resistance to cabbage aphids.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Onkokesung N, Reichelt M, Wright LP, Phillips MA, Gershenzon J, Dicke M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Plant, Cell & Environment

Year: 2019

Volume: 42

Issue: 7

Pages: 2309-2323

Print publication date: 13/06/2019

Online publication date: 20/02/2019

Acceptance date: 17/02/2019

Date deposited: 25/03/2019

ISSN (print): 0140-7791

ISSN (electronic): 1365-3040

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13538

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13538

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