Betz, G.A., Olbrich, M., Bieber, E., Gerstner, E., Knappe, C., Stich, S., Bahnweg, G., Heller, W. and Ernst, D. (2007), "Molecular regulation between primary and secondary metabolism in beech upon increased ozone", 6th Plant GEM.
Abstract:
Plant signalling substances and secondary metabolites, in particular phenylpropanoids not only determine growth and competition of plants, but also regulate their defence against pathogens, herbivores and abiotic stress. This project studies the role of the signalling compounds, ethylene and salicylic acid, and of phenylpropanoids in plants during growth, competition and fungal infection as well as the impact of ozone. In addition to the shikimate pathway which provides a link between primary and secondary metabolism, our emphasis is on defence genes of the phenylpropanoid and ethylene biosynthesis, as influenced by abiotic and biotic stress. European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is presently the main plant species studied at the levels of both young saplings in exposure chambers and at the GSF lysimeters, as well as of adult trees at the Kranzberg forest stand. Stress responses of beech were analyzed at the gene, protein and metabolite levels.
Pathogen, light and ozone were shown to induce defence-related genes and secondary metabolites.
Ethylene, reactive oxygen species and salicylic acid co-operate in amplifying HR-type cell death in crop plants. These compounds have for the first time been analyzed in a tree
New UV-B-screening pigments (flavanol glycosides), similar to those observed in pine and in spruce were identified in European beech. Foliar amounts were much higher in sun as compared to to shade leaves, while twice ambient ozone did exhibit no major effects.
This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 607) and the EU project EVOLTREE.
The Network of Excellence EVOLTREE is financially supported by the
European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme for
Research and Technology Development.
