Amino acid conjugation of oxIAA is a secondary metabolic regulation involved in auxin homeostasis

Induction of microspore embryogenesis in bread wheat by mannitol pre-treatment is associated with the disruption of endogenous hormone balance and substantial accumulation of auxins

BACKGROUND

Hormonal homeostasis plays a critical role in the regulation of microspore embryogenesis (ME). The balance between endogenous phytohormones must be altered to induce microspore reprogramming from the classical pollen-formation pathway to embryogenic development, but too extensive changes may be detrimental. In the present study, the levels of auxins, cytokinins and abscisic acid were monitored in the anthers of two Polish winter wheat F1 lines and the spring cultivar Pavon highly differentiated in terms of ME effectiveness. Analyses were carried out at subsequent steps of the ME induction procedure that combined low temperature, sodium selenate and mannitol tiller pre-treatment.

RESULTS

Of all the factors tested, mannitol induced the most profound effect on phytohormones and their homeostasis in wheat anthers. It significantly increased the accumulation of all auxins and decreased the levels of most cytokinins, while the change in ABA content was limited to cv. Pavon. In an attempt to alleviate this hormonal shock, we tested several modifications of the induction medium hormonal composition and found thidiazuron to be the most promising in stimulating the embryogenic development of wheat microspores.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of ABA-driven stress defence responses may be one of the reasons for the low effectiveness of ME induction in winter wheat microspore cultures. Low cytokinin level and a disturbed auxin/cytokinin balance may then be responsible for the morphological abnormalities observed during the next phases of embryogenic microspore development. One possible solution is to modify the hormonal composition of the induction medium with thidiazuron identified as the most promising component.

Glycosylation pathways in auxin homeostasis

Auxin glycosylation plays a fundamental role in the regulation of auxin homeostasis, activity, and transport, contributing to the dynamic control of plant growth and development. Glycosylation enhances auxin stability, solubility, and storage capacity, serving as a key mechanism for both temporary inactivation and long-term storage of auxin molecules. Specific glycosyltransferases are critical for this process, catalyzing glycosylation at either the carboxyl group or the nitrogen atom of the indole ring. The storage roles of glycosylated auxins, such as IAA-N-Glc, have been shown to be essential during embryogenesis and seed germination, while irreversible conjugation into catabolic products helps to maintain auxin homeostasis in vegetative tissues. This review highlights the diversity, enzymatic specificity, and physiological relevance of auxin glycosylation pathways, including a frequently overlooked N-glycosylation, underscoring its importance in the complex network of auxin metabolism.

Amide conjugates of the jasmonate precursor cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid regulate its homeostasis during plant stress responses

Jasmonates are a family of oxylipin phytohormones regulating plant development and growth and mediating "defense versus growth" responses. The upstream JA biosynthetic precursor cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (cis-OPDA) acts independently of CORONATIVE INSENSITIVE 1-mediated JA signaling in several stress-induced and developmental processes. However, its perception and metabolism are only partially understood. An isoleucine analog of the biologically active JA-Ile, OPDA-Ile, was detected years ago in wounded leaves of flowering plants, opening up the possibility that conjugation of cis-OPDA to amino acids might be a relevant mechanism for cis-OPDA regulation. Here, we extended the analysis of amino acid conjugates of cis-OPDA and identified naturally occurring OPDA-Val, OPDA-Phe, OPDA-Ala, OPDA-Glu, and OPDA-Asp accumulating in response to biotic and abiotic stress in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The OPDA amino acid conjugates displayed cis-OPDA-related plant responses in a JA-Ile-dependent manner. We also showed that the synthesis and hydrolysis of cis-OPDA amino acid conjugates are mediated by members of the amidosynthetase GRETCHEN HAGEN 3 and the amidohydrolase INDOLE-3-ACETYL-LEUCINE RESISTANT 1/ILR1-like families. Thus, OPDA amino acid conjugates function in the catabolism or temporary storage of cis-OPDA in stress responses instead of acting as chemical signals per se.

Dinor-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid conjugation with amino acids inhibits its phytohormone bioactivity in Marchantia polymorpha

Jasmonates (JAs) are important phytohormones that regulate plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and developmental processes. Distinct JAs in different plant lineages activate a conserved signaling pathway that mediates these responses: dinor-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (dn-OPDA) isomers in bryophytes and lycophytes, and JA-Ile in most vascular plants. In many cases, the final responses triggered by these phytohormones depend on the accumulation of specialized metabolites. To identify compounds regulated by the dn-OPDA pathway in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, untargeted metabolomic analyses were carried out in response to wounding, a stress that activates the dn-OPDA pathway. A previously unreported group of molecules was identified from these analyses: dn-OPDA-amino acid conjugates (dn-OPDA-aas). Their accumulation after wounding and herbivory was confirmed by targeted metabolic profiling in Marchantia and in all species in which we previously detected dn-iso-OPDA. Mutants in GRETCHEN-HAGEN 3A (MpGH3A) failed to accumulate dn-OPDA-aa conjugates and showed a constitutive activation of the OPDA pathway and increased resistance to herbivory. Our results show that dn-iso-OPDA bioactivity is reduced by amino acid conjugation. Therefore, JA conjugation in land plants plays dichotomous roles: jasmonic acid conjugation with isoleucine (Ile) produces the bioactive JA-Ile in tracheophytes, whereas conjugation of dn-iso-OPDA with different amino acids deactivates the phytohormone in bryophytes and lycophytes.

Sulfonation of IAA in Urtica eliminates its DR5 auxin activity

KEY MESSAGE

N-Sulfonated IAA was discovered as a novel auxin metabolite in Urtica where it is biosynthesized de novo utilizing inorganic sulfate. It showed no auxin activity in DR5::GUS assay, implying possible inactivation/storage mechanism. A novel auxin derivative, N-sulfoindole-3-acetic acid (IAA-N-SO3H, SIAA), was discovered in stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) among 116 sulfonated metabolites putatively identified by a semi-targeted UHPLC-QqTOF-MS analysis of 23 plant/algae/fungi species. These sulfometabolites were detected based on the presence of a neutral loss of sulfur trioxide, as indicated by the m/z difference of 79.9568 Da in the MS2 spectra. The structure of newly discovered SIAA was confirmed by synthesizing its standard and comparing retention time, m/z and MS2 spectrum with those of SIAA found in Urtica. To study its natural occurrence, 73 species in total were further analyzed by UHPLC-QqTOF-MS or targeted UHPLC-MS/MS method with a limit of detection of 244 fmol/g dry weight. However, SIAA was only detected in Urtica at a concentration of 13.906 ± 9.603 nmol/g dry weight. Its concentration was > 30 times higher than that of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the SIAA/IAA ratio was further increased under different light conditions, especially in continuous blue light. In addition to SIAA, structurally similar metabolites, N-sulfoindole-3-lactic acid, 4-(sulfooxy)phenyllactic acid and 4-(sulfooxy)phenylacetic acid, were detected in Urtica for the first time. SIAA was biosynthesized from inorganic sulfate in seedlings, as confirmed by the incorporation of exogenous 34S-ammonium sulfate (1 mM and 10 mM). SIAA exhibited no auxin activity, as demonstrated by both the Arabidopsis DR5::GUS assay and the Arabidopsis phenotype analysis. Sulfonation of IAA may therefore be a mechanism for IAA deactivation and/or storage in Urtica, similar to sulfonation of the jasmonates in Arabidopsis.

OPDA/dn-OPDA actions: biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling

Plants cannot move, so they have evolved sophisticated strategies that integrate the external environmental cues and internal signaling networks for adaptation to dynamic circumstances. Cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) and 2,3-dinor-OPDA (dn-OPDA), the cyclopentenone-containing oxylipins, ubiquitously occur in the green lineage to orchestrate a series of growth and developmental processes as well as various stress and defense responses. OPDA/dn-OPDA are precursors of jasmonate (JA) biosynthesis in vascular plants. Dn-OPDA and its isomer also serve as bioactive JAs perceived by the coronatine insensitive 1/jasmonate ZIM-domain (COI1/JAZ) co-receptor complex in bryophytes and lycophytes. In addition, OPDA/dn-OPDA display signaling activities independent of (+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine (JA-Ile) and COI1 in both vascular and non-vascular plants. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling of OPDA/dn-OPDA, and provide an overview of the evolution of OPDA/dn-OPDA actions to obtain a deeper understanding of the pervasive role of OPDA/dn-OPDA in the plant life cycle.

An auxin research odyssey: 1989-2023

The phytohormone auxin is at times called the master regulator of plant processes and has been shown to be a central player in embryo development, the establishment of the polar axis, early aspects of seedling growth, as well as growth and organ formation during later stages of plant development. The Plant Cell has been key, since the inception of the journal, to developing an understanding of auxin biology. Auxin-regulated plant growth control is accomplished by both changes in the levels of active hormones and the sensitivity of plant tissues to these concentration changes. In this historical review, we chart auxin research as it has progressed in key areas and highlight the role The Plant Cell played in these scientific developments. We focus on understanding auxin-responsive genes, transcription factors, reporter constructs, perception, and signal transduction processes. Auxin metabolism is discussed from the development of tryptophan auxotrophic mutants, the molecular biology of conjugate formation and hydrolysis, indole-3-butyric acid metabolism and transport, and key steps in indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport. This progress leads to an expectation of a more comprehensive understanding of the systems biology of auxin and the spatial and temporal regulation of cellular growth and development.

In situ separation and visualization of isomeric auxin derivatives in Arabidopsis by ion mobility mass spectrometry imaging

In situ separation and visualization of synthetic and naturally occurring isomers from heterogeneous plant tissues, especially when they share similar molecular structures, are a challenging task. In this study, we combined the ion mobility separation with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-IM-MSI) to achieve a direct separation and visualization of two synthetic auxin derivatives, auxinole and its structural isomer 4pTb-MeIAA, as well as endogenous auxins from Arabidopsis samples. Distinct distribution of these synthetic isomers and endogenous auxins in Arabidopsis primary roots and hypocotyls was achieved in the same imaging analysis from both individually treated and cotreated samples. We also observed putative metabolites of synthetic auxin derivatives, i.e. auxinole amino acid conjugates and hydrolysed 4pTb-MeIAA product - 4pTb-IAA, based on their unique drifting ion intensity patterns. Furthermore, DESI-IM-MSI-revealed abundance of endogenous auxins and synthetic isomers was validated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our results demonstrate that DESI-IM-MSI could be used as a robust technique for detecting endogenous and exogenous isomers and provide a spatiotemporal evaluation of hormonomics profiles in plants.

Application of Long-Chained Auxin Conjugates Influenced Auxin Metabolism and Transcriptome Response in Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis

Auxin amino acid conjugates are considered to be storage forms of auxins. Previous research has shown that indole-3-acetyl-L-alanine (IAA-Ala), indole-3-propionyl-L-alanine (IPA-Ala) and indole-3-butyryl-L-alanine (IBA-Ala) affect the root growth of Brassica rapa seedlings. To elucidate the potential mechanism of action of the conjugates, we treated B. rapa seedlings with 0.01 mM IAA-, IPA- and IBA-Ala and investigated their effects on the auxin metabolome and transcriptome. IBA-Ala and IPA-Ala caused a significant inhibition of root growth and a decrease in free IAA compared to the control and IAA-Ala treatments. The identification of free auxins IBA and IPA after feeding experiments with IBA-Ala and IPA-Ala, respectively, confirms their hydrolysis in vivo and indicates active auxins responsible for a stronger inhibition of root growth. IBA-Ala caused the induction of most DEGs (807) compared to IPA-Ala (417) and IAA-Ala (371). All treatments caused similar trends in transcription profile changes when compared to control treatments. The majority of auxin-related DEGs were found after IBA-Ala treatment, followed by IPA-Ala and IAA-Ala, which is consistent with the apparent root morphology. In addition to most YUC genes, which showed a tendency to be downregulated, transcripts of auxin-related DEGs that were identified (UGT74E2, GH3.2, SAUR, IAA2, etc.) were more highly expressed after all treatments. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the hydrolysis of conjugates and the release of free auxins are responsible for the effects of conjugate treatments. In conclusion, free auxins released by the hydrolysis of all auxin conjugates applied affect gene regulation, auxin homeostasis and ultimately root growth inhibition.

Fluorescence-activated multi-organelle mapping of subcellular plant hormone distribution

Auxins and cytokinins are two major families of phytohormones that control most aspects of plant growth, development and plasticity. Their distribution in plants has been described, but the importance of cell- and subcellular-type specific phytohormone homeostasis remains undefined. Herein, we revealed auxin and cytokinin distribution maps showing their different organelle-specific allocations within the Arabidopsis plant cell. To do so, we have developed Fluorescence-Activated multi-Organelle Sorting (FAmOS), an innovative subcellular fractionation technique based on flow cytometric principles. FAmOS allows the simultaneous sorting of four differently labelled organelles based on their individual light scatter and fluorescence parameters while ensuring hormone metabolic stability. Our data showed different subcellular distribution of auxin and cytokinins, revealing the formation of phytohormone gradients that have been suggested by the subcellular localization of auxin and cytokinin transporters, receptors and metabolic enzymes. Both hormones showed enrichment in vacuoles, while cytokinins were also accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Synthetic and analytical routes to the L-amino acid conjugates of cis-OPDA and their identification and quantification in plants

Cis-(+)-12-oxophytodienoic acid (cis-(+)-OPDA) is a bioactive jasmonate, a precursor of jasmonic acid, which also displays signaling activity on its own. Modulation of cis-(+)-OPDA actions may be carried out via biotransformation leading to metabolites of various functions. This work introduces a methodology for the synthesis of racemic cis-OPDA conjugates with amino acids (OPDA-aa) and their deuterium-labeled analogs, which enables the unambiguous identification and accurate quantification of these compounds in plants. We have developed a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based method for the reliable determination of seven OPDA-aa (OPDA-Alanine, OPDA-Aspartate, OPDA-Glutamate, OPDA-Glycine, OPDA-Isoleucine, OPDA-Phenylalanine, and OPDA-Valine) from minute amount of plant material. The extraction from 10 mg of fresh plant tissue by 10% aqueous methanol followed by single-step sample clean-up on hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced columns prior to final analysis was optimized. The method was validated in terms of accuracy and precision, and the method parameters such as process efficiency, recovery and matrix effects were evaluated. In mechanically wounded 30-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, five endogenous (+)-OPDA-aa were identified and their endogenous levels were estimated. The time-course accumulation revealed a peak 60 min after the wounding, roughly corresponding to the accumulation of cis-(+)-OPDA. Our synthetic and analytical methodologies will support studies on cis-(+)-OPDA conjugation with amino acids and research into the biological significance of these metabolites in plants.

Metabolic profiles of 2-oxindole-3-acetyl-amino acid conjugates differ in various plant species

Auxins are a group of phytohormones that play a key role in plant growth and development, mainly presented by the major member of the family - indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The levels of free IAA are regulated, in addition to de novo biosynthesis, by irreversible oxidative catabolism and reversible conjugation with sugars and amino acids. These conjugates, which serve as inactive storage forms of auxin and/or degradation intermediates, can also be oxidized to form 2-oxindole-3-acetyl-1-O-ß-d-glucose (oxIAA-glc) and oxIAA-amino acids (oxIAA-AAs). Until now, only oxIAA conjugates with aspartate and glutamate have been identified in plants. However, detailed information on the endogenous levels of these and other putative oxIAA-amino acid conjugates in various plant species and their spatial distribution is still not well understood but is finally getting more attention. Herein, we identified and characterized two novel naturally occurring auxin metabolites in plants, namely oxIAA-leucine (oxIAA-Leu) and oxIAA-phenylalanine (oxIAA-Phe). Subsequently, a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of a wide range of IAA metabolites. Using this methodology, the quantitative determination of IAA metabolites including newly characterized oxIAA conjugates in roots, shoots and cotyledons of four selected plant models - Arabidopsis thaliana, pea (Pisum sativum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was performed to compare auxin metabolite profiles. The distribution of various groups of auxin metabolites differed notably among the studied species as well as their sections. For example, oxIAA-AA conjugates were the major metabolites found in pea, while oxIAA-glc dominated in Arabidopsis. We further compared IAA metabolite levels in plants harvested at different growth stages to monitor the dynamics of IAA metabolite profiles during early seedling development. In general, our results show a great diversity of auxin inactivation pathways among angiosperm plants. We believe that our findings will greatly contribute to a better understanding of IAA homeostasis.