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Chakraborty S, Gershenzon J, Schuster S. Selection pressure by specialist and generalist insect herbivores leads to optimal constitutive plant defense. A mathematical model. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10763. [PMID: 38058520 PMCID: PMC10695761 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Brassicaceae plants have the glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system, jointly active against herbivory. However, constitutive glucosinolate (GLS) defense is observed to occur at levels that do not deter all insects from feeding. That prompts the question of why Brassicaceae plants have not evolved a higher constitutive defense. The answer may lie in the contrasting relationship between plant defense and host plant preference of specialist and generalist herbivores. GLS content increases a plant's susceptibility to specialist insects. In contrast, generalists are deterred by the plant GLSs. Although GLSs can attract the natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of these herbivores, enemies can reduce herbivore pressure to some extent only. So, plants can be overrun by specialists if GLS content is too high, whereas generalists can invade the plants if it is too low. Therefore, an optimal constitutive plant defense can minimize the overall herbivore pressure. To explain the optimal defense theoretically, we model the contrasting host selection behavior of insect herbivores and the emergence of their natural enemies by non-autonomous ordinary differential equations, where the independent variable is the plant GLS concentration. From the model, we quantify the optimal amount of GLSs, which minimizes total herbivore (specialists and generalists) pressure. That quite successfully explains the evolution of constitutive defense in plants from the perspective of optimality theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Chakraborty
- Department of Bioinformatics, Matthias Schleiden InstituteFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “Chemical Communication in Ecological Systems”JenaGermany
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of BiochemistryMax Planck Institute for Chemical EcologyJenaGermany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Matthias Schleiden InstituteFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
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Rong T, Chunchun Z, Wei G, Yuchen G, Fei X, Tao L, Yuanyuan J, Chenbin W, Wenda X, Wenqing W. Proteomic insights into protostane triterpene biosynthesis regulatory mechanism after MeJA treatment in Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140671. [PMID: 33991668 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Protostane triterpenes in Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. have unique structural features with distinct pharmacological activities. Previously we have demonstrated that protostane triterpene biosynthesis could be regulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction in A. orientale. Here, proteomic investigation reveals the MeJA mediated regulation of protostane triterpene biosynthesis. In our study, 281 differentially abundant proteins were identified from MeJA-treated compared to control groups, while they were mainly associated with triterpene biosynthesis, α-linolenic acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and response to stress/defense. Key enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), squalene epoxidase (SE), oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and cytochrome P450s which potentially involved in protostane triterpene biosynthesis were significantly enriched in MeJA-treated group. Basic Helix-loop-helix (bHLH), MYB, and GRAS transcription factors were enhanced after MeJA treatment, and they also improved the expressions of key enzymes in Mevalonate pathway and protostane triterpene. Then, MeJA also could increase the expression of α-galactosidase (α-GAL), thereby promoting carbohydrate decomposition, and providing energy and carbon skeletons for protostane triterpene precursor biosynthesis. As well, exogenous MeJA treatment upregulated 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX), allene oxide synthase (AOS) and allene oxide cyclase (AOC) involved in α-linolenic acid metabolism, leading to the accumulation of endogenous MeJA and activation of the protostane triterpene biosynthesis transduction. Finally, MeJA upregulated stress/defence-related proteins, as to enhance the defence responses activity of plants. These results were further verified by quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 19 selected genes and content analysis of protostane triterpene. The results provide some new insights into the role of MeJA in protostane triterpene biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Rong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhang Chunchun
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Gu Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Gu Yuchen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xu Fei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Li Tao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ji Yuanyuan
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Chenbin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xue Wenda
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wu Wenqing
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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Perkovich C, Ward D. Herbivore-induced defenses are not under phylogenetic constraints in the genus Quercus (oak): Phylogenetic patterns of growth, defense, and storage. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5187-5203. [PMID: 34026000 PMCID: PMC8131805 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of plant defenses is often constrained by phylogeny. Many of the differences between competing plant defense theories hinge upon the differences in the location of meristem damage (apical versus auxiliary) and the amount of tissue removed. We analyzed the growth and defense responses of 12 Quercus (oak) species from a well-resolved molecular phylogeny using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Access to light is paramount for forest-dwelling tree species, such as many members of the genus Quercus. We therefore predicted a greater investment in defense when apical meristem tissue was removed. We also predicted a greater investment in defense when large amounts of tissue were removed and a greater investment in growth when less tissues were removed. We conducted five simulated herbivory treatments including a control with no damage and alterations of the location of meristem damage (apical versus auxiliary shoots) and intensity (25% versus 75% tissue removal). We measured growth, defense, and nutrient re-allocation traits in response to simulated herbivory. Phylomorphospace models were used to demonstrate the phylogenetic nature of trade-offs between characteristics of growth, chemical defenses, and nutrient re-allocation. We found that growth-defense trade-offs in control treatments were under phylogenetic constraints, but phylogenetic constraints and growth-defense trade-offs were not common in the simulated herbivory treatments. Growth-defense constraints exist within the Quercus genus, although there are adaptations to herbivory that vary among species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Ward
- Department of Biological SciencesKent State UniversityKentOHUSA
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Christensen SB, Simonsen HT, Engedal N, Nissen P, Møller JV, Denmeade SR, Isaacs JT. From Plant to Patient: Thapsigargin, a Tool for Understanding Natural Product Chemistry, Total Syntheses, Biosynthesis, Taxonomy, ATPases, Cell Death, and Drug Development. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 115:59-114. [PMID: 33797641 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-64853-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Thapsigargin, the first representative of the hexaoxygenated guaianolides, was isolated 40 years ago in order to understand the skin-irritant principles of the resin of the umbelliferous plant Thapsia garganica. The pronounced cytotoxicity of thapsigargin is caused by highly selective inhibition of the intracellular sarco-endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) situated on the membrane of the endo- or sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thapsigargin is selective to the SERCA pump and to a minor extent the secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+ ATPase (SPCA) pump. Thapsigargin has become a tool for investigation of the importance of SERCA in intracellular calcium homeostasis. In addition, complex formation of thapsigargin with SERCA has enabled crystallization and structure determination of calcium-free states by X-ray crystallography. These results led to descriptions of the mechanism of action and kinetic properties of SERCA and other ATPases. Inhibition of SERCA depletes Ca2+ from the sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum provoking the unfolded protein response, and thereby has enabled new studies on the mechanism of cell death. Development of protocols for selective transformation of thapsigargin disclosed the chemistry and facilitated total synthesis of the molecule. Conversion of trilobolide into thapsigargin offered an economically feasible sustainable source of thapsigargin, which enables a future drug production. Principles for prodrug development were used by conjugating a payload derived from thapsigargin with a hydrophilic peptide selectively cleaved by proteases in the tumor. Mipsagargin was developed in order to obtain a drug for treatment of cancer diseases characterized by the presence of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in the neovascular tissue of the tumors. Even though mipsagargin showed interesting clinical effects the results did not encourage funding and consequently the attempt to register the drug has been abandoned. In spite of this disappointing fact, the research performed to develop the drug has resulted in important scientific discoveries concerning the chemistry, biosynthesis and biochemistry of sesquiterpene lactones, the mechanism of action of ATPases including SERCA, mechanisms for cell death caused by the unfolded protein response, and the use of prodrugs for cancer-targeting cytotoxins. The presence of toxins in only some species belonging to Thapsia also led to a major revision of the taxonomy of the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Brøgger Christensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Henrik Toft Simonsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Bld 223, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nikolai Engedal
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, University Hospital, Montebello, 0379, Oslo, Norway
| | - Poul Nissen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jesper Vuust Møller
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 3, Bld 1182, Room 114, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Samuel R Denmeade
- Department of Oncology, Prostate Cancer Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Maryland, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, The Bunting-Blaustein Cancer Research Building, 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - John T Isaacs
- Department of Oncology, Prostate Cancer Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Maryland, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, The Bunting-Blaustein Cancer Research Building, 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
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