Snake venom toxins: Potential anticancer therapeutics

Snake venom contains a cocktail of compounds dominated by proteins and peptides, which make up the toxin. The toxin components of snake venom attack several targets in the human body including the neuromuscular system, kidney and blood coagulation system and cause pathologies. As such, the venom toxins can be managed and used for the treatment of these diseases. In this regard, Captopril used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases was the first animal venom toxin-based drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Cancers cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to side effects associated with the current cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery, there is a need to improve the efficacy of current treatments and/or develop novel drugs from natural sources including animal toxin-based drugs. There is a long history of earlier and ongoing studies implicating snake venom toxins as potential anticancer therapies. Here, we review the role of crude snake venoms and toxins including phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase, C-type lectin and disintegrin as potential anticancer agents tested in cancer cell lines and animal tumour models in comparison to normal cell lines. Some of the anti-tumour activities of snake venom toxins include induction of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of metastasis, angiogenesis and tumour growth. We thus propose the advancement of multidisciplinary approaches to more pre-clinical and clinical studies for enhanced bioavailability and targeted delivery of snake venom toxin-based anticancer drugs.

Metabolomic Reconfiguration in Primed Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Plants in Response to Pyrenophora teres f. teres Infection

Necrotrophic fungi affect a wide range of plants and cause significant crop losses. For the activation of multi-layered innate immune defences, plants can be primed or pre-conditioned to rapidly and more efficiently counteract this pathogen. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics analyses were applied to elucidate the biochemical processes involved in the response of 3,5-dichloroanthranilic acid (3,5-DCAA) primed barley plants to Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt). A susceptible barley cultivar ('Hessekwa') at the third leaf growth stage was treated with 3,5-DCAA 24 h prior to infection using a Ptt conidia suspension. The infection was monitored over 2, 4, and 6 days post-inoculation. For untargeted studies, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to analyse methanolic plant extracts. Acquired data were processed to generate the data matrices utilised in chemometric modelling and multi-dimensional data mining. For targeted studies, selected metabolites from the amino acids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids classes were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. 3,5-DCAA was effective as a priming agent in delaying the onset and intensity of symptoms but could not prevent the progression of the disease. Unsupervised learning methods revealed clear differences between the sample extracts from the control plants and the infected plants. Both orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and 'shared and unique structures' (SUS) plots allowed for the extraction of potential markers of the primed and naïve plant responses to Ptt. These include classes of organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, phenolic acids, and derivatives and flavonoids. Among these, 5-oxo-proline and citric acid were notable as priming response-related metabolites. Metabolites from the tricarboxylic acid pathway were only discriminant in the primed plant infected with Ptt. Furthermore, the quantification of targeted metabolites revealed that hydroxycinnamic acids were significantly more prominent in the primed infected plants, especially at 2 d.p.i. Our research advances efforts to better understand regulated and reprogrammed metabolic responses that constitute defence priming in barley against Ptt.

Lipopolysaccharides from Ralstonia solanacearum induce a broad metabolomic response in Solanum lycopersicum

Ralstonia solanacearum, one of the most destructive crop pathogens worldwide, causes bacterial wilt disease in a wide range of host plants. The major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), has been shown to function as elicitors of plant defense leading to the activation of signaling and defense pathways in several plant species. LPS from a R. solanacearum strain virulent on tomato (LPSR. sol.), were purified, chemically characterized, and structurally elucidated. The lipid A moiety consisted of tetra- to hexa-acylated bis-phosphorylated disaccharide backbone, also decorated by aminoarabinose residues in minor species, while the O-polysaccharide chain consisted of either linear tetrasaccharide or branched pentasaccharide repeating units containing α-L-rhamnose, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine, and β-L-xylose. These properties might be associated with the evasion of host surveillance, aiding the establishment of the infection. Using untargeted metabolomics, the effect of LPSR. sol. elicitation on the metabolome of Solanum lycopersicum leaves was investigated across three incubation time intervals with the application of UHPLC-MS for metabolic profiling. The results revealed the production of oxylipins, e.g., trihydroxy octadecenoic acid and trihydroxy octadecadienoic acid, as well as several hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives, e.g., coumaroyl tyramine and feruloyl tyramine, as phytochemicals that exhibit a positive correlation to LPSR. sol. treatment. Although the chemical properties of these metabolite classes have been studied, the functional roles of these compounds have not been fully elucidated. Overall, the results suggest that the features of the LPSR. sol. chemotype aid in limiting or attenuating the full deployment of small molecular host defenses and contribute to the understanding of the perturbation and reprogramming of host metabolism during biotic immune responses.

Metabolic Reprogramming of Barley in Response to Foliar Application of Dichlorinated Functional Analogues of Salicylic Acid as Priming Agents and Inducers of Plant Defence

Designing innovative biological crop protection strategies to stimulate natural plant immunity is motivated by the growing need for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional biocidal agrochemicals. Salicylic acid (SA) and analogues are known chemical inducers of priming plant immunity against environmental stresses. The aim of the study was to study the metabolic reprogramming in barley plants following an application of three proposed dichlorinated inducers of acquired resistance. 3,5-Dichloroanthranilic acid, 2,6-dichloropyridine-4-carboxylic acid, and 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid were applied to barley at the third leaf stage of development and harvested at 12, 24, and 36 h post-treatment. Metabolites were extracted using methanol for untargeted metabolomics analyses. Samples were analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-definition mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HDMS). Chemometric methods and bioinformatics tools were used to mine and interpret the generated data. Alterations in the levels of both primary and secondary metabolites were observed. The accumulation of barley-specific metabolites, hordatines, and precursors was observed from 24 h post-treatment. The phenylpropanoid pathway, a marker of induced resistance, was identified among the key mechanisms activated by the treatment with the three inducers. No salicylic acid or SA derivatives were annotated as signatory biomarkers; instead, jasmonic acid precursors and derivatives were found as discriminatory metabolites across treatments. The study highlights differences and similarities in the metabolomes of barley after treatment with the three inducers and points to the triggering chemical changes associated with defence and resistance. This report is the first of its kind, and the knowledge acquired provides deeper insight into the role of dichlorinated small molecules as inducers of plant immunity and can be used in metabolomics-guided plant improvement programmes.

Proteome Analysis of Nicotiana tabacum Cells following Isonitrosoacetophenone Treatment Reveals Defence-Related Responses Associated with Priming

Proteins play an essential regulatory role in the innate immune response of host plants following elicitation by either biotic or abiotic stresses. Isonitrosoacetophenone (INAP), an unusual oxime-containing stress metabolite, has been investigated as a chemical inducer of plant defence responses. Both transcriptomic and metabolomic studies of various INAP-treated plant systems have provided substantial insight into this compound's defence-inducing and priming capabilities. To complement previous 'omics' work in this regard, a proteomic approach of time-dependent responses to INAP was followed. As such, Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum) cell suspensions were induced with INAP and changes monitored over a 24-h period. Protein isolation and proteome analysis at 0, 8, 16 and 24 h post-treatment were performed using two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by the gel-free eight-plex isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) based on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Of the identified differentially abundant proteins, 125 were determined to be significant and further investigated. INAP treatment elicited changes to the proteome that affected proteins from a wide range of functional categories: defence, biosynthesis, transport, DNA and transcription, metabolism and energy, translation and signalling and response regulation. The possible roles of the differentially synthesised proteins in these functional classes are discussed. Results indicate up-regulated defence-related activity within the investigated time period, further highlighting a role for proteomic changes in priming as induced by INAP treatment.

Metabolomic evaluation of PGPR defence priming in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars infected with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (stripe rust)

Plant-microbe interactions are a phenomenal display of symbiotic/parasitic relationships between living organisms. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are some of the most widely investigated plant-beneficial microbes due to their capabilities in stimulating plant growth and development and conferring protection to plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. As such, PGPR-mediated plant priming/induced systemic resistance (ISR) has become a hot topic among researchers, particularly with prospects of applications in sustainable agriculture. The current study applies untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-definition mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HDMS) to investigate PGPR-based metabolic reconfigurations in the metabolome of primed wheat plants against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tricti (Pst). A seed bio-priming approach was adopted, where seeds were coated with two PGPR strains namely Bacillus subtilis and Paenibacillus alvei (T22) and grown under controlled conditions in a glasshouse. The plants were infected with Pst one-week post-germination, followed by weekly harvesting of leaf material. Subsequent metabolite extraction was carried out for analysis on a UHPLC-HDMS system for data acquisition. The data was chemometrically processed to reveal the underlying trends and data structures as well as potential signatory biomarkers for priming against Pst. Results showed notable metabolic reprogramming in primary and secondary metabolism, where the amino acid and organic acid content of primed-control, primed-challenged and non-primed-challenged plants were differentially reprogrammed. Similar trends were observed from the secondary metabolism, in which primed plants (particularly primed-challenged) showed an up-regulation of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids-HCAs- and HCA amides) compared to the non-primed plants. The metabolomics-based semi-quantitative and qualitative assessment of the plant metabolomes revealed a time-dependent metabolic reprogramming in primed-challenged and primed-unchallenged plants, indicating the metabolic adaptations of the plants to stripe rust infection over time.

A Review of the Proteomic Profiling of African Viperidae and Elapidae Snake Venoms and Their Antivenom Neutralisation

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that results from the injection of snake venom of a venomous snake into animals and humans. In Africa (mainly in sub-Saharan Africa), over 100,000 envenomings and over 10,000 deaths per annum from snakebite have been reported. Difficulties in snakebite prevention and antivenom treatment are believed to result from a lack of epidemiological data and underestimated figures on snakebite envenoming-related morbidity and mortality. There are species- and genus-specific variations associated with snake venoms in Africa and across the globe. These variations contribute massively to diverse differences in venom toxicity and pathogenicity that can undermine the efficacy of adopted antivenom therapies used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming. There is a need to profile all snake venom proteins of medically important venomous snakes endemic to Africa. This is anticipated to help in the development of safer and more effective antivenoms for the treatment of snakebite envenoming within the continent. In this review, the proteomes of 34 snake venoms from the most medically important snakes in Africa, namely the Viperidae and Elipdae, were extracted from the literature. The toxin families were grouped into dominant, secondary, minor, and others based on the abundance of the protein families in the venom proteomes. The Viperidae venom proteome was dominated by snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs-41%), snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs-16%), and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂-17%) protein families, while three-finger toxins (3FTxs-66%) and PLA₂s (16%) dominated those of the Elapidae. We further review the neutralisation of these snake venoms by selected antivenoms widely used within the African continent. The profiling of African snake venom proteomes will aid in the development of effective antivenom against snakebite envenoming and, additionally, could possibly reveal therapeutic applications of snake venom proteins.

Untargeted metabolite profiling to elucidate rhizosphere and leaf metabolome changes of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) treated with the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Paenibacillus alvei (T22) and Bacillus subtilis

The rhizosphere is a highly complex and biochemically diverse environment that facilitates plant–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions, and this region is found between plant roots and the bulk soil. Several studies have reported plant root exudation and metabolite secretion by rhizosphere-inhabiting microbes, suggesting that these metabolites play a vital role in plant–microbe interactions. However, the biochemical constellation of the rhizosphere soil is yet to be fully elucidated and thus remains extremely elusive. In this regard, the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)–plant interactions on the rhizosphere chemistry and above ground tissues are not fully understood. The current study applies an untargeted metabolomics approach to profile the rhizosphere exo-metabolome of wheat cultivars generated from seed inoculated (bio-primed) with Paenibacillus (T22) and Bacillus subtilis strains and to elucidate the effects of PGPR treatment on the metabolism of above-ground tissues. Chemometrics and molecular networking tools were used to process, mine and interpret the acquired mass spectrometry (MS) data. Global metabolome profiling of the rhizosphere soil of PGPR-bio-primed plants revealed differential accumulation of compounds from several classes of metabolites including phenylpropanoids, organic acids, lipids, organoheterocyclic compounds, and benzenoids. Of these, some have been reported to function in plant–microbe interactions, chemotaxis, biocontrol, and plant growth promotion. Metabolic perturbations associated with the primary and secondary metabolism were observed from the profiled leaf tissue of PGPR-bio-primed plants, suggesting a distal metabolic reprograming induced by PGPR seed bio-priming. These observations gave insights into the hypothetical framework which suggests that PGPR seed bio-priming can induce metabolic changes in plants leading to induced systemic response for adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. Thus, this study contributes knowledge to ongoing efforts to decipher the rhizosphere metabolome and mechanistic nature of biochemical plant–microbe interactions, which could lead to metabolome engineering strategies for improved plant growth, priming for defense and sustainable agriculture.

Profiling of Volatile Organic Compounds from Four Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria by SPME–GC–MS: A Metabolomics Study

The rhizosphere microbiome is a major determinant of plant health. Plant-beneficial or plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) influence plant growth, plant development and adaptive responses, such as induced resistance/priming. These new eco-friendly choices have highlighted volatile organic compounds (biogenic VOCs) as a potentially inexpensive, effective and efficient substitute for the use of agrochemicals. Secreted bacterial VOCs are low molecular weight lipophilic compounds with a low boiling point and high vapor pressures. As such, they can act as short- or long-distance signals in the rhizosphere, affecting competing microorganisms and impacting plant health. In this study, secreted VOCs from four PGPR strains (Pseudomonas koreensis (N19), Ps. fluorescens (N04), Lysinibacillus sphaericus (T19) and Paenibacillus alvei (T22)) were profiled by solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) combined with a multivariate data analysis. Metabolomic profiling with chemometric analyses revealed novel data on the composition of the secreted VOC blends of the four PGPR strains. Of the 121 annotated metabolites, most are known as bioactives which are able to affect metabolism in plant hosts. These VOCs belong to the following classes: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, alkanes, alkenes, acids, amines, salicylic acid derivatives, pyrazines, furans, sulfides and terpenoids. The results further demonstrated the presence of species-specific and strain-specific VOCs, characterized by either the absence or presence of specific VOCs in the different strains. These molecules could be further investigated as biomarkers for the classification of an organism as a PGPR and selection for agricultural use.

Plasma Membrane-Associated Proteins Identified in Arabidopsis Wild Type, lbr2-2 and bak1-4 Mutants Treated with LPSs from Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris

Plants recognise bacterial microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) from the environment via plasma membrane (PM)-localised pattern recognition receptor(s) (PRRs). Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are known as MAMPs from gram-negative bacteria that are most likely recognised by PRRs and trigger defence responses in plants. The Arabidopsis PRR(s) and/or co-receptor(s) complex for LPS and the associated defence signalling remains elusive. As such, proteomic identification of LPS receptors and/or co-receptor complexes will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underly LPS perception and defence signalling in plants. The Arabidopsis LPS-binding protein (LBP) and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI)-related-2 (LBR2) have been shown to recognise LPS and trigger defence responses while brassinosteroid insensitive 1 (BRI1)-associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1) acts as a co-receptor for several PRRs. In this study, Arabidopsis wild type (WT) and T-DNA knock out mutants (lbr2-2 and bak1-4) were treated with LPS chemotypes from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 8004 (Xcc) over a 24 h period. The PM-associated protein fractions were separated by liquid chromatography and analysed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by data analysis using Byonic^TM software. Using Gene Ontology (GO) for molecular function and biological processes, significant LPS-responsive proteins were grouped according to defence and stress response, perception and signalling, membrane transport and trafficking, metabolic processes and others. Venn diagrams demarcated the MAMP-responsive proteins that were common and distinct to the WT and mutant lines following treatment with the two LPS chemotypes, suggesting contributions from differential LPS sub-structural moieties and involvement of LBR2 and BAK1 in the LPS-induced MAMP-triggered immunity (MTI). Moreover, the identification of RLKs and RLPs that participate in other bacterial and fungal MAMP signalling proposes the involvement of more than one receptor and/or co-receptor for LPS perception as well as signalling in Arabidopsis defence responses.

Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling of Arabidopsis WT, lbr-2-2 and bak1-4 Mutants Following Treatment with Two LPS Chemotypes

Plants perceive pathogenic threats from the environment that have evaded preformed barriers through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognise microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). The perception of and triggered defence to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) as a MAMP is well-studied in mammals, but little is known in plants, including the PRR(s). Understanding LPS-induced secondary metabolites and perturbed metabolic pathways in Arabidopsis will be key to generating disease-resistant plants and improving global plant crop yield. Recently, Arabidopsis LPS-binding protein (LBP) and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI)-related proteins (LBP/BPI related-1) and (LBP/BPI related-2) were shown to perceive LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and trigger defence responses. In turn, brassinosteroid insensitive 1 (BRI1)-associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1) is a well-established co-receptor for several defence-related PRRs in plants. Due to the lack of knowledge pertaining to LPS perception in plants and given the involvement of the afore-mentioned proteins in MAMPs recognition, in this study, Arabidopsis wild type (WT) and mutant (lbr2-2 and bak1-4) plants were pressure-infiltrated with LPSs purified from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 8004 (Xcc). Metabolites were extracted from the leaves at four time points over a 24 h period and analysed by UHPLC-MS, generating distinct metabolite profiles. Data analysed using unsupervised and supervised multivariate data analysis (MVDA) tools generated results that reflected time- and treatment-related variations after both LPS chemotypes treatments. Forty-five significant metabolites were putatively annotated and belong to the following groups: glucosinolates, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, lipids, oxylipins, arabidopsides and phytohormones, while metabolic pathway analysis (MetPA) showed enrichment of flavone and flavanol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism and glucosinolate biosynthesis. Distinct metabolite accumulations depended on the LPS chemotype and the genetic background of the lbr2-2 and bak1-4 mutants. This study highlights the role of LPSs in the reprogramming Arabidopsis metabolism into a defensive state, and the possible role of LBR and BAK1 proteins in LPSs perception and thus plant defence against pathogenic bacteria.

Hordatines and Associated Precursors Dominate Metabolite Profiles of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seedlings: A Metabolomics Study of Five Cultivars

In the process of enhancing crop potential, metabolomics offers a unique opportunity to biochemically describe plant metabolism and to elucidate metabolite profiles that govern specific phenotypic characteristics. In this study we report an untargeted metabolomic profiling of shoots and roots of barley seedlings performed to reveal the chemical makeup therein at an early growth stage. The study was conducted on five cultivars of barley: ‘Overture’, ‘Cristalia’, ‘Deveron’, ‘LE7′ and ‘Genie’. Seedlings were grown for 16 days post germination under identical controlled conditions, and methanolic extracts were analysed on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) system. In addition, an unsupervised pattern identification technique, principal component analysis (PCA), was performed to process the generated multidimensional data. Following annotation of specific metabolites, several classes were revealed, among which phenolic acids represented the largest group in extracts from both shoot and root tissues. Interestingly, hordatines, barley-specific metabolites, were not found in the root tissue. In addition, metabolomic profiling revealed metabolites potentially associated with the plants’ natural protection system against potential pathogens. The study sheds light on the chemical composition of barley at a young developmental stage and the information gathered could be useful in plant research and biomarker-based breeding programs.

Metabolomic Characterisation of Discriminatory Metabolites Involved in Halo Blight Disease in Oat Cultivars Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens

The metabolome is the underlying biochemical layer of the phenotype and offers a functional readout of the cellular mechanisms involved in a biological system. Since metabolites are considered end-products of regulatory processes at a cellular level, their levels are considered the definitive response of the biological system to genetic or environmental variations. The metabolome thus serves as a metabolic fingerprint of the biochemical events that occur in a biological system under specific conditions. In this study, an untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to elucidate biochemical processes implicated in oat plant responses to Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens (Ps-c) infection, and to identify signatory markers related to defence responses and disease resistance against halo blight. Metabolic changes in two oat cultivars (“Dunnart” and “SWK001”) responding to Ps-c, were examined at the three-leaf growth stage and metabolome changes monitored over a four-day post-inoculation period. Hydromethanolic extracts were analysed using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled to a high-definition mass spectrometer (MS) analytical platform. The acquired multi-dimensional data were processed using multivariate statistical analysis and chemometric modelling. The validated chemometric models indicated time- and cultivar-related metabolic changes, defining the host response to the bacterial inoculation. Further multivariate analyses of the data were performed to profile differential signatory markers, putatively associated with the type of launched defence response. These included amino acids, phenolics, phenolic amides, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, lipids, saponins and plant hormones. Based on the results, metabolic alterations involved in oat defence responses to Ps-c were elucidated and key signatory metabolic markers defining the defence metabolome were identified. The study thus contributes toward a more holistic understanding of the oat metabolism under biotic stress.

Rhizosphere Tripartite Interactions and PGPR-Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming towards ISR and Plant Priming: A Metabolomics Review

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial microorganisms colonising the rhizosphere. PGPR are involved in plant growth promotion and plant priming against biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant-microbe interactions occur through chemical communications in the rhizosphere and a tripartite interaction mechanism between plants, pathogenic microbes and plant-beneficial microbes has been defined. However, comprehensive information on the rhizosphere communications between plants and microbes, the tripartite interactions and the biochemical implications of these interactions on the plant metabolome is minimal and not yet widely available nor well understood. Furthermore, the mechanistic nature of PGPR effects on induced systemic resistance (ISR) and priming in plants at the molecular and metabolic levels is yet to be fully elucidated. As such, research investigating chemical communication in the rhizosphere is currently underway. Over the past decades, metabolomics approaches have been extensively used in describing the detailed metabolome of organisms and have allowed the understanding of metabolic reprogramming in plants due to tripartite interactions. Here, we review communication systems between plants and microorganisms in the rhizosphere that lead to plant growth stimulation and priming/induced resistance and the applications of metabolomics in understanding these complex tripartite interactions.

Comparative Metabolite Profiling of Wheat Cultivars (Triticum aestivum) Reveals Signatory Markers for Resistance and Susceptibility to Stripe Rust and Aluminium (Al3+) Toxicity

Plants continuously produce essential metabolites that regulate their growth and development. The enrichment of specific metabolites determines plant interactions with the immediate environment, and some metabolites become critical in defence responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, an untargeted UHPLC-qTOF-MS approach was employed to profile metabolites of wheat cultivars resistant or susceptible to the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and Aluminium (Al³⁺) toxicity. Multivariate statistical analysis (MVDA) tools, viz. principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HiCA) were used to qualify the correlation between the identified metabolites and the designated traits. A total of 100 metabolites were identified from primary and secondary metabolisms, including phenolic compounds, such as flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) derivatives, fatty acids, amino acids, and organic acids. All metabolites were significantly variable among the five wheat cultivars. The Pst susceptible cultivars demonstrated elevated concentrations of HCAs compared to their resistant counterparts. In contrast, ‘Koonap’ displayed higher levels of flavonoid glycosides, which could point to its resistant phenotype to Pst and Al³⁺ toxicity. The data provides an insight into the metabolomic profiles and thus the genetic background of Pst- and Al³⁺-resistant and susceptible wheat varieties. This study demonstrates the prospects of applied metabolomics for chemotaxonomic classification, phenotyping, and potential use in plant breeding and crop improvement.

Metabolomic Evaluation of Ralstonia solanacearum Cold Shock Protein Peptide (csp22)-Induced Responses in Solanum lycopersicum

Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, is one of the most destructive bacterial plant pathogens. This is linked to its evolutionary adaptation to evade host surveillance during the infection process since many of the pathogen's associated molecular patterns escape recognition. However, a 22-amino acid sequence of R. solanacearum-derived cold shock protein (csp22) was discovered to elicit an immune response in the Solanaceae. Using untargeted metabolomics, the effects of csp22-elicitation on the metabolome of Solanum lycopersicum leaves were investigated. Additionally, the study set out to discover trends that may suggest that csp22 inoculation bestows enhanced resistance on tomato against bacterial wilt. Results revealed the redirection of metabolism toward the phenylpropanoid pathway and sub-branches thereof. Compared to the host response with live bacteria, csp22 induced a subset of the discriminant metabolites, but also metabolites not induced in response to R. solanacearum. Here, a spectrum of hydroxycinnamic acids (especially ferulic acid), their conjugates and derivatives predominated as signatory biomarkers. From a metabolomics perspective, the results support claims that csp22 pre-treatment of tomato plants elicits increased resistance to R. solanacearum infection and contribute to knowledge on plant immune systems operation at an integrative level. The functional significance of these specialized compounds may thus support a heightened state of defense that can be applied to ward off attacking pathogens or toward priming of defense against future infections.

A Global Metabolic Map Defines the Effects of a Si-Based Biostimulant on Tomato Plants under Normal and Saline Conditions

The ongoing unpredictability of climate changes is exponentially exerting a negative impact on crop production, further aggravating detrimental abiotic stress effects. Several research studies have been focused on the genetic modification of crop plants to achieve more crop resilience against such stress factors; however, there has been a paradigm shift in modern agriculture focusing on more organic, eco-friendly and long-lasting systems to improve crop yield. As such, extensive research into the use of microbial and nonmicrobial biostimulants has been at the core of agricultural studies to improve crop growth and development, as well as to attain tolerance against several biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biostimulant activity remain enigmatic. Thus, this study is a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics approach to unravel the hypothetical biochemical framework underlying effects of a nonmicrobial biostimulant (a silicon-based formulation) on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersium) under salinity stress conditions. This metabolomics study postulates that Si-based biostimulants could alleviate salinity stress in tomato plants through modulation of the primary metabolism involving changes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid and numerous amino acid biosynthesis pathways, with further reprogramming of several secondary metabolism pathways such as the phenylpropanoid pathway, flavonoid biosynthesis pathways including flavone and flavanol biosynthesis. Thus, the postulated hypothetical framework, describing biostimulant-induced metabolic events in tomato plants, provides actionable knowledge necessary for industries and farmers to, confidently and innovatively, explore, design, and fully implement Si-based formulations and strategies into agronomic practices for sustainable agriculture and food production.

Altered metabolomic states elicited by Flg22 and FlgII-28 in Solanum lycopersicum: intracellular perturbations and metabolite defenses

BACKGROUND

Surveillance of potential pathogens is a key feature of plant innate immunity. For non-self-recognition plants rely on the perception of pathogen-derived molecules. Early post-perception events activate signaling cascades, leading to the synthesis of defense-related proteins and specialized metabolites, thereby providing a broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage. This study was concerned with tracking changes in the tomato plant metabolome following perception of the flagellum-derived elicitors (Flg22 and FlgII-28).

RESULTS

Following an untargeted metabolomics workflow, the metabolic profiles of a Solanum lycopersicum cultivar were monitored over a time range of 16-32 h post-treatment. Liquid chromatography was used to resolve the complex mixture of metabolites and mass spectrometry for the detection of differences associated with the elicitor treatments. Stringent data processing and multivariate statistical tools were applied to the complex dataset to extract relevant metabolite features associated with the elicitor treatments. Following perception of Flg22 and FlgII-28, both elicitors triggered an oxidative burst, albeit with different kinetic responses. Signatory biomarkers were annotated from diverse metabolite classes which included amino acid derivatives, lipid species, steroidal glycoalkaloids, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, as well as flavonoids.

CONCLUSIONS

An untargeted metabolomics approach adequately captured the subtle and nuanced perturbations associated with elicitor-linked plant defense responses. The shared and unique features characterizing the metabolite profiles suggest a divergence of signal transduction events following perception of Flg22 vs. FlgII-28, leading to a differential reorganization of downstream metabolic pathways.

A Metabolomics Approach and Chemometric Tools for Differentiation of Barley Cultivars and Biomarker Discovery

One of the ultimate goals of plant breeding is the development of new crop cultivars capable of withstanding increasing environmental stresses, to sustain the constantly growing population and economic demands. Investigating the chemical composition of the above and underground tissues of cultivars is crucial for the understanding of common and specific traits thereof. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach together with appropriate chemometrics tools, the differential metabolite profiles of leaf and root extracts from five cultivars of barley (‘Erica’, ‘Elim’, ‘Hessekwa’, ‘S16’ and ‘Agulhas’) were explored and potential signatory biomarkers were revealed. The study was conducted on seedlings grown for 21 days under identical controlled conditions. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was employed to analyse hydromethanolic leaf and root extracts of barley cultivars. Furthermore, unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms were applied to mine the generated data and to pinpoint cultivar-specific metabolites. Among all the classes of metabolites annotated, phenolic acids and derivatives formed the largest group and also represented the most discriminatory metabolites. In roots, saponarin, an important allelochemical differentially distributed across cultivars, was the only flavonoid annotated. The application of an untargeted metabolomics approach in phenotyping grain crops such as barley was demonstrated, and the metabolites responsible for differentiating between the selected cultivars were revealed. The study provides insights into the chemical architecture of barley, an agro-economically relevant cereal crop; and reiterates the importance of metabolomics tools in plant breeding practices for crop improvement.

Metabolomic Evaluation of Tissue-Specific Defense Responses in Tomato Plants Modulated by PGPR-Priming against Phytophthora capsici Infection

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can stimulate disease suppression through the induction of an enhanced state of defense readiness. Here, untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) and targeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QqQ-MS) were used to investigate metabolic reprogramming in tomato plant tissues in response to priming by Pseudomonas fluorescens N04 and Paenibacillus alvei T22 against Phytophthora capsici. Roots were treated with the two PGPR strains prior to stem inoculation with Ph. capsici. Metabolites were methanol-extracted from roots, stems and leaves at two–eight days post-inoculation. Targeted analysis by UHPLC–QqQ-MS allowed quantification of aromatic amino acids and phytohormones. For untargeted analysis, UHPLC–MS data were chemometrically processed to determine signatory biomarkers related to priming against Ph. capsici. The aromatic amino acid content was differentially reprogrammed in Ps. fluorescens and Pa. alvei primed plants responding to Ph. capsici. Furthermore, abscisic acid and methyl salicylic acid were found to be major signaling molecules in the tripartite interaction. LC–MS metabolomics analysis showed time-dependent metabolic changes in the primed-unchallenged vs. primed-challenged tissues. The annotated metabolites included phenylpropanoids, benzoic acids, glycoalkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, organic acids, as well as oxygenated fatty acids. Tissue-specific reprogramming across diverse metabolic networks in roots, stems and leaves was also observed, which demonstrated that PGPR priming resulted in modulation of the defense response to Ph. capsici infection.

Plant Responses to Abiotic Stresses and Rhizobacterial Biostimulants: Metabolomics and Epigenetics Perspectives

In response to abiotic stresses, plants mount comprehensive stress-specific responses which mediate signal transduction cascades, transcription of relevant responsive genes and the accumulation of numerous different stress-specific transcripts and metabolites, as well as coordinated stress-specific biochemical and physiological readjustments. These natural mechanisms employed by plants are however not always sufficient to ensure plant survival under abiotic stress conditions. Biostimulants such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulation are emerging as novel strategies for improving crop quality, yield and resilience against adverse environmental conditions. However, to successfully formulate these microbial-based biostimulants and design efficient application programs, the understanding of molecular and physiological mechanisms that govern biostimulant-plant interactions is imperatively required. Systems biology approaches, such as metabolomics, can unravel insights on the complex network of plant-PGPR interactions allowing for the identification of molecular targets responsible for improved growth and crop quality. Thus, this review highlights the current models on plant defence responses to abiotic stresses, from perception to the activation of cellular and molecular events. It further highlights the current knowledge on the application of microbial biostimulants and the use of epigenetics and metabolomics approaches to elucidate mechanisms of action of microbial biostimulants.

Metabolomics for Biomarker Discovery: Key Signatory Metabolic Profiles for the Identification and Discrimination of Oat Cultivars

The first step in crop introduction-or breeding programmes-requires cultivar identification and characterisation. Rapid identification methods would therefore greatly improve registration, breeding, seed, trade and inspection processes. Metabolomics has proven to be indispensable in interrogating cellular biochemistry and phenotyping. Furthermore, metabolic fingerprints are chemical maps that can provide detailed insights into the molecular composition of a biological system under consideration. Here, metabolomics was applied to unravel differential metabolic profiles of various oat (Avena sativa) cultivars (Magnifico, Dunnart, Pallinup, Overberg and SWK001) and to identify signatory biomarkers for cultivar identification. The respective cultivars were grown under controlled conditions up to the 3-week maturity stage, and leaves and roots were harvested for each cultivar. Metabolites were extracted using 80% methanol, and extracts were analysed on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) high-definition mass spectrometer analytical platform. The generated data were processed and analysed using multivariate statistical methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) models were computed for both leaf and root data, with PCA score plots indicating cultivar-related clustering of the samples and pointing to underlying differential metabolic profiles of these cultivars. Further multivariate analyses were performed to profile differential signatory markers, which included carboxylic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and associated derivatives) and flavonoids, among the respective cultivars. Based on the key signatory metabolic markers, the cultivars were successfully distinguished from one another in profiles derived from both leaves and roots. The study demonstrates that metabolomics can be used as a rapid phenotyping tool for cultivar differentiation.

Hydroxycinnamate Amides: Intriguing Conjugates of Plant Protective Metabolites

The syntheses of aromatic monoamines and aliphatic polyamines (PAs) are responsive to environmental stresses, with some modulating aspects of plant defense. Conjugation of amines to hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) generates HCA amides (HCAAs), with the conjugates possessing properties from both compounds. Conjugation may reduce the polarity of the resulting metabolite and assist in translocation, stability, and compartmentalization. Recent metabolomic insights identified HCAAs as biomarkers during plant-pathogen interactions, supporting a functional role in defense. The conjugates may contribute to regulation of the dynamic metabolic pool of hydroxycinnamates. This review highlights the occurrence of aromatic amines (AAs) and PAs in stress metabolism, conjugation to HCAs, and the roles of HCAAs during host defense, adding emphasis on their involvement in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production and cell-wall strengthening.

Lipopolysaccharide perception in Arabidopsis thaliana: Diverse LPS chemotypes from Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris trigger differential defence-related perturbations in the metabolome

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are microbe-associated molecular pattern molecules (MAMPs) from Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that potentially contain three different MAMPs (the O-polysaccharide chain, the oligosaccharide core and lipid A). LPSs was purified from Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris and electrophoretically profiled. Outcomes of the interactions of the three different LPS chemotypes with Arabidopsis thaliana, as reflected in the induced defence metabolites, profiled at 12 h and 24 h post elicitation, were investigated. Plants were pressure-infiltrated with LPS solutions and methanol-based extractions at different time points were performed for untargeted metabolomics using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Multivariate data modelling and chemometric analysis were applied to generate interpretable biochemical information from the multidimensional data sets. The three LPSs triggered differential metabolome changes in the plants as apparent from chromatographically distinct MS chromatograms. Unsupervised and supervised multivariate data models exhibited time- and treatment-related variations, and revealed discriminating metabolite variables. Heat map models comparatively displayed the up-regulated pathways affecting the metabolomes and Venn diagrams indicated up-regulated and shared metabolites among the three LPS treatments. The altered metabolomes reflect the up-regulation of metabolites from not only the glucosinolate pathway, but also from the shikimate-phenylpropanoid-flavonoid -, terpenoid - and indolic/alkaloid pathways, as well as oxygenated fatty acids. Distinct phytochemical profiles, especially at the earlier time point, suggest differences in the perception of the three LPS chemotypes, associated with the molecular patterns within the tripartite lipoglycans.

Adaptive defence-related changes in the metabolome of Sorghum bicolor cells in response to lipopolysaccharides of the pathogen Burkholderia andropogonis

Plant cell suspension culture systems are valuable for the study of complex biological systems such as inducible defence responses and aspects of plant innate immunity. Perturbations to the cellular metabolome can be investigated using metabolomic approaches in order to reveal the underlying metabolic mechanism of cellular responses. Lipopolysaccharides from the sorghum pathogen, Burkholderia andropogonis (LPSB.a.), were purified, chemically characterised and structurally elucidated. The lipid A moiety consists of tetra- and penta-acylated 1,4'-bis-phosphorylated disaccharide backbone decorated by aminoarabinose residues, while the O-polysaccharide chain consists of linear trisaccharide repeating units of [→2)-α-Rha3CMe-(1 → 3)-α-Rha-(1 → 3)-α-Rha-(1 → ]. The effect of LPSB.a. in triggering metabolic reprogramming in Sorghum bicolor cells were investigated using untargeted metabolomics with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection. Cells were treated with LPSB.a. and the metabolic changes monitored over a 30 h time period. Alterations in the levels of phytohormones (jasmonates, zeatins, traumatic-, azelaic- and abscisic acid), which marked the onset of defence responses and accumulation of defence-related metabolites, were observed. Phenylpropanoids and indole alkaloids as well as oxylipins that included di- and trihydroxyoctadecedienoic acids were identified as signatory biomarkers, with marked secretion into the extracellular milieu. The study demonstrated that sorghum cells recognise LPSB.a. as a 'microbe-associated molecular pattern', perturbing normal cellular homeostasis. The molecular features of the altered metabolome were associated with phytohormone-responsive metabolomic reconfiguration of primary and secondary metabolites originating from various metabolic pathways, in support of defence and immunity.

Prospects of Gene Knockouts in the Functional Study of MAMP-Triggered Immunity: A Review

Plants depend on both preformed and inducible defence responses to defend themselves against biotic stresses stemming from pathogen attacks. In this regard, plants perceive pathogenic threats from the environment through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognise microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), and so induce plant defence responses against invading pathogens. Close to thirty PRR proteins have been identified in plants, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying MAMP perception by these receptors/receptor complexes are not fully understood. As such, knockout (KO) of genes that code for PRRs and co-receptors/defence-associated proteins is a valuable tool to study plant immunity. The loss of gene activity often causes changes in the phenotype of the model plant, allowing in vivo studies of gene function and associated biological mechanisms. Here, we review the functions of selected PRRs, brassinosteroid insensitive 1 (BRI1) associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1) and other associated defence proteins that have been identified in plants, and also outline KO lines generated by T-DNA insertional mutagenesis as well as the effect on MAMP perception—and triggered immunity (MTI). In addition, we further review the role of membrane raft domains in flg22-induced MTI in Arabidopsis, due to the vital role in the activation of several proteins that are part of the membrane raft domain theory in this regard.

Time-resolved decoding of metabolic signatures of in vitro growth of the hemibiotrophic pathogen Colletotrichum sublineolum

Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to comprehensively interrogate cellular biochemistry. As such, we applied an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomic strategy to elucidate metabolome changes in the anthracnose-causing hemibiotrophic sorghum pathogen, Colletotrichum sublineolum. An in vitro batch culture study model with different carbon sources, glucose, arabinose and rhamnose, were used to support fungal growth over a period of twelve days. Metabolites representing the intracellular and extracellular (secreted) metabolomes were extracted with methanol and subjected to LC-MS analyses. Chemometric modelling revealed a metabolic variation trajectory, comprising three distinct stages that metabolically describe the adaptation of the fungus to diminishing nutrients. Selected marker gene expression indicated stage one (0-3 d.p.i) as corresponding to the early logarithmic phase. Stage two can be interpreted as an intermediate transitionary stage with stage three corresponding to the stationary phase (9-12 d.p.i). Stage one was characterised by up-regulation of endo-metabolites such as ferricrocin, fatty acids and flavone-conjugates, while stage three was characterised by the secretion of phytotoxins, including colletotrichin and colletotric acid. Ultimately, results from our in vitro model reveal previously unknown insights into the dynamic aspects of metabolome reprogramming in the growth phases of Colletotrichum spp as determined by nutrients obtainable from plant cell walls.

Untargeted Metabolomics Reveal Defensome-Related Metabolic Reprogramming in Sorghum bicolor against Infection by Burkholderia andropogonis

Burkholderia andropogonis is the causal agent of bacterial leaf stripe, one of the three major bacterial diseases affecting Sorghum bicolor. However, the biochemical aspects of the pathophysiological host responses are not well understood. An untargeted metabolomics approach was designed to understand molecular mechanisms underlying S. bicolor⁻B. andropogonis interactions. At the 4-leaf stage, two sorghum cultivars (NS 5511 and NS 5655) differing in disease tolerance, were infected with B. andropogonis and the metabolic changes monitored over time. The NS 5511 cultivar displayed delayed signs of wilting and lesion progression compared to the NS 5655 cultivar, indicative of enhanced resistance. The metabolomics results identified statistically significant metabolites as biomarkers associated with the sorghum defence. These include the phytohormones salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and zeatin. Moreover, metabolic reprogramming in an array of chemically diverse metabolites that span a wide range of metabolic pathways was associated with the defence response. Signatory biomarkers included aromatic amino acids, shikimic acid, metabolites from the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, as well as fatty acids. Enhanced synthesis and accumulation of apigenin and derivatives thereof was a prominent feature of the altered metabolomes. The analyses revealed an intricate and dynamic network of the sorghum defence arsenal towards B. andropogonis in establishing an enhanced defensive capacity in support of resistance and disease suppression. The results pave the way for future analysis of the biosynthesis of signatory biomarkers and regulation of relevant metabolic pathways in sorghum.

Metabolomics in Plant Priming Research: The Way Forward?

A new era of plant biochemistry at the systems level is emerging, providing detailed descriptions of biochemical phenomena at the cellular and organismal level. This new era is marked by the advent of metabolomics—the qualitative and quantitative investigation of the entire metabolome (in a dynamic equilibrium) of a biological system. This field has developed as an indispensable methodological approach to study cellular biochemistry at a global level. For protection and survival in a constantly-changing environment, plants rely on a complex and multi-layered innate immune system. This involves surveillance of ‘self’ and ‘non-self,’ molecule-based systemic signalling and metabolic adaptations involving primary and secondary metabolites as well as epigenetic modulation mechanisms. Establishment of a pre-conditioned or primed state can sensitise or enhance aspects of innate immunity for faster and stronger responses. Comprehensive elucidation of the molecular and biochemical processes associated with the phenotypic defence state is vital for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that define the metabolism of plant–pathogen interactions. Such insights are essential for translational research and applications. Thus, this review highlights the prospects of metabolomics and addresses current challenges that hinder the realisation of the full potential of the field. Such limitations include partial coverage of the metabolome and maximising the value of metabolomics data (extraction of information and interpretation). Furthermore, the review points out key features that characterise both the plant innate immune system and enhancement of the latter, thus underlining insights from metabolomic studies in plant priming. Future perspectives in this inspiring area are included, with the aim of stimulating further studies leading to a better understanding of plant immunity at the metabolome level.

Metabolomics-guided investigations of unintended effects of the expression of the hydroxycinnamoyl quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (hqt1) gene from Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus in Nicotiana tabacum cell cultures

Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) are phenolic compounds biosynthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway, with hydroxycinnamoyl quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HQT) as the key enzyme. Variation of CGAs has been noted in different plants, with globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) producing high amounts and a diverse spectrum of CGAs in its leaves. In the current study, the effect of overexpression of the hqt1 transgene from globe artichoke in tobacco was evaluated at the metabolome level. Here, metabolomic approaches based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, together with chemometric models such as principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis, were employed to evaluate altered metabolic changes due to hqt1 overexpression. CGA profiles (caffeoylquinic acids: 3-CQA, 4-CQA and 5-CQA; p-coumaroylquinic acids: 4-pCoQA and 5-pCoQA; and 4,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid) of transgenic tobacco cell cultures were detected at lower concentrations than in the wild type. Interestingly, the cells were found to rather accumulate, as an unintended effect, abscisic acid - and benzoic acid derivatives. The results suggest that insertion of hqt1 in tobacco, and overexpression in undifferentiated cells, led to rechannelling of the phenylpropanoid pathway to accumulate benzoic acids. These findings proved to be contrary to the results shown elsewhere in leaf tissues, thus indicating differential metabolic control and regulation in the undifferentiated cell culture system.

The Chemistry of Plant-Microbe Interactions in the Rhizosphere and the Potential for Metabolomics to Reveal Signaling Related to Defense Priming and Induced Systemic Resistance

Plant roots communicate with microbes in a sophisticated manner through chemical communication within the rhizosphere, thereby leading to biofilm formation of beneficial microbes and, in the case of plant growth-promoting rhizomicrobes/-bacteria (PGPR), resulting in priming of defense, or induced resistance in the plant host. The knowledge of plant-plant and plant-microbe interactions have been greatly extended over recent years; however, the chemical communication leading to priming is far from being well understood. Furthermore, linkage between below- and above-ground plant physiological processes adds to the complexity. In metabolomics studies, the main aim is to profile and annotate all exo- and endo-metabolites in a biological system that drive and participate in physiological processes. Recent advances in this field has enabled researchers to analyze 100s of compounds in one sample over a short time period. Here, from a metabolomics viewpoint, we review the interactions within the rhizosphere and subsequent above-ground 'signalomics', and emphasize the contributions that mass spectrometric-based metabolomic approaches can bring to the study of plant-beneficial - and priming events.

Mass spectrometry in untargeted liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry metabolomics: Electrospray ionisation parameters and global coverage of the metabolome

RATIONALE

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is a dominant analytical platform in metabolomics, because of the high sensitivity and resolution, thus enabling large-scale coverage of metabolomes. Correspondingly, electrospray ionisation (ESI) is the favoured ionisation method in untargeted LC/MS metabolomics given the ability to produce large numbers of ions. In the workflow of LC/ESI-MS metabolomics, maximising the ionisation efficiency over a wide mass range is inevitably an essential and determining step, subsequently defining the extent of coverage of the metabolome under investigation. Thus in this study, electronic factors related to the functioning of the ESI source, namely the capillary and sample cone voltages, were explored to investigate the influence on the data acquired in metabolomic investigations.

METHODS

Hydromethanolic samples from an untargeted study (sorghum plants responding dynamically to fungal infection) were analysed on a high-resolution/definition LC/ESI-MS system. Here the capillary and sample cone voltages of the ZSpray™ ESI source were varied between 1.5-3.0 kV and 10.0-40.0 V, respectively. The acquired data were processed with MarkerLynx™ software and analysed using central composite design response surface methodology and chemometric approaches (principal component analysis and orthogonal projection latent structures-discriminant analysis).

RESULTS

The results evidently demonstrate that both capillary and sampling cone voltages not only significantly influence the recorded MS signals with regard to the number and abundance of features, but also the overall structure of the collected data. This consequently impacts on the information extracted from the data and thus affects coverage of the metabolome.

CONCLUSIONS

The observations postulate in that, untargeted LC/MS metabolomics, 'what you see is what you ionise'. Although there is convergence of collected data under different ESI conditions, the nuances observed indicate that the exploration of different ion source settings could be the best trade-off in expanding and maximising the metabolome coverage in untargeted metabolomic experiments.

Metabolomic Analysis of Defense-Related Reprogramming in Sorghum bicolor in Response to Colletotrichum sublineolum Infection Reveals a Functional Metabolic Web of Phenylpropanoid and Flavonoid Pathways

The metabolome of a biological system provides a functional readout of the cellular state, thus serving as direct signatures of biochemical events that define the dynamic equilibrium of metabolism and the correlated phenotype. Hence, to elucidate biochemical processes involved in sorghum responses to fungal infection, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic study was designed. Metabolic alterations of three sorghum cultivars responding to Colletotrichum sublineolum, were investigated. At the 4-leaf growth stage, the plants were inoculated with fungal spore suspensions and the infection monitored over time: 0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post inoculation. Non-infected plants were used as negative controls. The metabolite composition of aqueous-methanol extracts were analyzed on an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system coupled to high-definition mass spectrometry. The acquired multidimensional data were processed to create data matrices for multivariate statistical analysis and chemometric modeling. The computed chemometric models indicated time- and cultivar-related metabolic changes that reflect sorghum responses to the fungal infection. Metabolic pathway and correlation-based network analyses revealed that this multi-component defense response is characterized by a functional metabolic web, containing defense-related molecular cues to counterattack the pathogen invasion. Components of this network are metabolites from a range of interconnected metabolic pathways with the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways being the central hub of the web. One of the key features of this altered metabolism was the accumulation of an array of phenolic compounds, particularly de novo biosynthesis of the antifungal 3-deoxyanthocynidin phytoalexins, apigeninidin, luteolinidin, and related conjugates. The metabolic results were complemented by qRT-PCR gene expression analyses that showed upregulation of defense-related marker genes. Unraveling key characteristics of the biochemical mechanism underlying sorghum-C. sublineolum interactions, provided valuable insights with potential applications in breeding crop plants with enhanced disease resistance. Furthermore, the study contributes to ongoing efforts toward a comprehensive understanding of the regulation and reprogramming of plant metabolism under biotic stress.

Proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis plasma membranes reveals lipopolysaccharide-responsive changes

Plant plasma membranes (PMs) contain pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), lately believed to be associated within multicomponent complexes, which perceive microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules like lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and result in signal transduction events that lead to activated immune defense responses. As such, Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were treated with LPS from Escherichia coli (LPS_E.coli) over time, and PM fractions isolated and evaluated using gel-based and subsequent mass spectrometry approaches for identification of LPS-responsive proteins. From the identified protein bands and spots, it is concluded that perception of hexaacylated LPS and resulting signal transduction occurs via PM-associated protein(s), amongst others, receptor-like kinases (RLKs) including G-type lectin S-receptor kinase and BAK1, and mostly likely within specialized perception domains.

Identification of lipopolysaccharide-interacting plasma membrane-type proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an amphiphatic bacterial glycoconjugate found on the external membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This endotoxin is considered as a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecule and has been shown to elicit defense responses in plants. Here, LPS-interacting proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane (PM)-type fractions were captured and identified in order to investigate those involved in LPS perception and linked to triggering of innate immune responses. A novel proteomics-based affinity-capture strategy coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed for the enrichment and identification of LPS-interacting proteins. As such, LPS isolated from Burkholderia cepacia (LPS_B.cep.) was immobilized on three independent and distinct affinity-based matrices to serve as bait for interacting proteins from A. thaliana leaf and callus tissue. These were resolved by 1D electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. Proteins specifically bound to LPS_B.cep. have been implicated in membrane structure (e.g. COBRA-like and tubulin proteins), membrane trafficking and/or transport (e.g. soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, patellin, aquaporin, PM instrinsic proteins (PIP) and H⁺-ATPase), signal transduction (receptor-like kinases and calcium-dependent protein kinases) as well as defense/stress responses (e.g. hypersensitive-induced response (HIR) proteins, jacalin-like lectin domain-containing protein and myrosinase-binding proteins). The novel affinity-capture strategy for the enrichment of LPS-interacting proteins proved to be effective, especially in the binding of proteins involved in plant defense responses, and can thus be used to elucidate LPS-mediated molecular recognition and disease mechanism(s).

Untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals dynamic changes in azelaic acid- and salicylic acid derivatives in LPS-treated Nicotiana tabacum cells

To counteract biotic stress factors, plants employ multilayered defense mechanisms responsive to pathogen-derived elicitor molecules, and regulated by different phytohormones and signaling molecules. Here, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecule, was used to induce defense responses in Nicotiana tabacum cell suspensions. Intracellular metabolites were extracted with methanol and analyzed using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS/MS) platform. The generated data were processed and examined with multivariate and univariate statistical tools. The results show time-dependent dynamic changes and accumulation of glycosylated signaling molecules, specifically those of azelaic acid, salicylic acid and methyl-salicylate as contributors to the altered metabolomic state in LPS-treated cells.

The Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Metabolome Signature in Arabidopsis thaliana Reveals Dynamic Reprogramming of Phytoalexin and Phytoanticipin Pathways

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), as MAMP molecules, trigger the activation of signal transduction pathways involved in defence. Currently, plant metabolomics is providing new dimensions into understanding the intracellular adaptive responses to external stimuli. The effect of LPS on the metabolomes of Arabidopsis thaliana cells and leaf tissue was investigated over a 24 h period. Cellular metabolites and those secreted into the medium were extracted with methanol and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was used for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Multivariate statistical data analyses were used to extract interpretable information from the generated multidimensional LC-MS data. The results show that LPS perception triggered differential changes in the metabolomes of cells and leaves, leading to variation in the biosynthesis of specialised secondary metabolites. Time-dependent changes in metabolite profiles were observed and biomarkers associated with the LPS-induced response were tentatively identified. These include the phytohormones salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, and also the associated methyl esters and sugar conjugates. The induced defensive state resulted in increases in indole-and other glucosinolates, indole derivatives, camalexin as well as cinnamic acid derivatives and other phenylpropanoids. These annotated metabolites indicate dynamic reprogramming of metabolic pathways that are functionally related towards creating an enhanced defensive capacity. The results reveal new insights into the mode of action of LPS as an activator of plant innate immunity, broadens knowledge about the defence metabolite pathways involved in Arabidopsis responses to LPS, and identifies specialised metabolites of functional importance that can be employed to enhance immunity against pathogen infection.

Simultaneous analysis of defense-related phytohormones in Arabidopsis thaliana responding to fungal infection

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Simultaneous analysis of defense-related phytohormones can provide insights into underlying biochemical interactions. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) techniques hyphenated to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) are powerful analytical platforms, suitable for quantitative profiling of multiple classes of metabolites.

METHODS

An efficient and simplified extraction method was designed followed by reverse-phase UHPLC for separation of seven phytohormones: salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, absiscic acid, indole acetic acid, and the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. A triple quadrupole multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed for MS quantification. The methods were applied to analyze phytohormones in Arabidopsis leaf tissue responding to biotic stresses.

RESULTS

Under the optimized conditions, the phytohormones were separated within 15 min, with good linearities and high sensitivity. Repeatable results were obtained, with the limits of detection and quantification around 0.01 ng/μL (∼9 ng/g tissue). The method was validated and applied to monitor, quantify, and compare the temporal changes of the phytohormones under biotic stress.

DISCUSSION

Quantitative changes indicate increased production of defense phytohormones from the various classes. The analytical method was useful and suitable to distinguish distinctive variations in the phytohormonal profiles and balance in A. thaliana leaves resulting from pathogen attack.

Cloning of the cnr operon into a strain of Bacillaceae bacterium for the development of a suitable biosorbent

In this study, a potential microbial biosorbent was engineered to improve its capacity to remediate heavy metal contaminated water resources. A Bacillaceae bacterium isolated from a mining area was transformed with a plasmid carrying the (pECD312)-based cnr operon that encodes nickel and cobalt resistance. The bioadsorption ability of the transformed strain was evaluated for removal of nickel from metallurgical water relative to the wildtype strain. Results showed that transformation improved the adsorption capacity of the bacterium by 37 % at nickel concentrations equivalent to 150 mg/L. Furthermore it was possible to apply prediction modelling to study the bioadsorption behaviour of the transformed strain. As such, this work may be extended to the design of a nickel bioremediation plant utilising the newly developed Bacillaceae bacterium as a biosorbent.

Phenylpropanoid Defences in Nicotiana tabacum Cells: Overlapping Metabolomes Indicate Common Aspects to Priming Responses Induced by Lipopolysaccharides, Chitosan and Flagellin-22

Plants have evolved both constitutive and inducible defence strategies to cope with different biotic stimuli and stresses. Exposure of a plant to a challenging stress can lead to a primed state that allows it to launch a more rapid and stronger defence. Here we applied a metabolomic approach to study and compare the responses induced in Nicotiana tabacum cells by microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules, namely lipopolysaccharides (LPS), chitosan (CHT) and flagellin-22 (FLG22). Early response metabolites, extracted with methanol, were analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Using multivariate statistical tools the metabolic profiles induced by these elicitors were analysed. In the metabolic fingerprint of these agents a total of 19 cinnamic acid derivatives conjugated to quinic acids (chlorogenic acids), shikimic acid, tyramine, polyamines or glucose were found as discriminant biomarkers. In addition, treatment with the phytohormones salicylic acid (SA), methyljasmonic acid (MJ) and abscisic acid (ABA) resulted in differentially-induced phenylpropanoid pathway metabolites. The results indicate that the phenylpropanoid pathway is activated by these elicitors while hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives are commonly associated with the metabolic response to the MAMPs, and that the activated responses are modulated by both SA and MJ, with ABA not playing a role.

Profiling of Altered Metabolomic States in Nicotiana tabacum Cells Induced by Priming Agents

Metabolomics has developed into a valuable tool for advancing our understanding of plant metabolism. Plant innate immune defenses can be activated and enhanced so that, subsequent to being pre-sensitized, plants are able to launch a stronger and faster defense response upon exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, a phenomenon known as priming. Here, three contrasting chemical activators, namely acibenzolar-S-methyl, azelaic acid and riboflavin, were used to induce a primed state in Nicotiana tabacum cells. Identified biomarkers were then compared to responses induced by three phytohormones-abscisic acid, methyljasmonate, and salicylic acid. Altered metabolomes were studied using a metabolite fingerprinting approach based on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Multivariate data models indicated that these inducers cause time-dependent metabolic perturbations in the cultured cells and revealed biomarkers of which the levels are affected by these agents. A total of 34 metabolites were annotated from the mass spectral data and online databases. Venn diagrams were used to identify common biomarkers as well as those unique to a specific agent. Results implicate 20 cinnamic acid derivatives conjugated to (i) quinic acid (chlorogenic acids), (ii) tyramine, (iii) polyamines, or (iv) glucose as discriminatory biomarkers of priming in tobacco cells. Functional roles for most of these metabolites in plant defense responses could thus be proposed. Metabolites induced by the activators belong to the early phenylpropanoid pathway, which indicates that different stimuli can activate similar pathways but with different metabolite fingerprints. Possible linkages to phytohormone-dependent pathways at a metabolomic level were indicated in the case of cells treated with salicylic acid and methyljasmonate. The results contribute to a better understanding of the priming phenomenon and advance our knowledge of cinnamic acid derivatives as versatile defense metabolites.

Secondary metabolite perturbations in Phaseolus vulgaris leaves due to gamma radiation

Oxidative stress is a condition in which the balance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is disturbed. However, plants have developed a very sophisticated mechanism to mitigate the effect of ROS by constantly adjusting the concentration thereof to acceptable levels. Electromagnetic radiation is one of the factors which results in oxidative stress. In the current study, ionizing gamma radiation generated from a Cobalt-60 source was used to induce oxidative stress in Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings. Plants were irradiated with several radiation doses, with 2 kGy found to be the optimal, non-lethal dose. Metabolite distribution patterns from irradiated and non-irradiated plants were analyzed using UHPLC-qTOF-MS and multivariate data models such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA). Metabolites such as hydroxycinnamic phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenes, and a novel chalcone were found to be perturbed in P. vulgaris seedlings treated with the aforementioned conditions. The results suggest that there is a compensatory link between constitutive protectants and inducible responses to injury as well as defense against oxidative stress induced by ionizing radiation. The current study is also the first to illustrate the power of a metabolomics approach to decipher the effect of gamma radiation on crop plants.

Isonitrosoacetophenone drives transcriptional reprogramming in Nicotiana tabacum cells in support of innate immunity and defense

Plants respond to various stress stimuli by activating broad-spectrum defense responses both locally as well as systemically. As such, identification of expressed genes represents an important step towards understanding inducible defense responses and assists in designing appropriate intervention strategies for disease management. Genes differentially expressed in tobacco cell suspensions following elicitation with isonitrosoacetophenone (INAP) were identified using mRNA differential display and pyro-sequencing. Sequencing data produced 14579 reads, which resulted in 198 contigs and 1758 singletons. Following BLAST analyses, several inducible plant defense genes of interest were identified and classified into functional categories including signal transduction, transcription activation, transcription and protein synthesis, protein degradation and ubiquitination, stress-responsive, defense-related, metabolism and energy, regulation, transportation, cytoskeleton and cell wall-related. Quantitative PCR was used to investigate the expression of 17 selected target genes within these categories. Results indicate that INAP has a sensitising or priming effect through activation of salicylic acid-, jasmonic acid- and ethylene pathways that result in an altered transcriptome, with the expression of genes involved in perception of pathogens and associated cellular re-programming in support of defense. Furthermore, infection assays with the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci confirmed the establishment of a functional anti-microbial environment in planta.

Metabolomic fingerprinting of primed tobacco cells provide the first evidence for the biological origin of cis-chlorogenic acid

Previous studies suggest that only trans-isomers of chlorogenic acid (CGA) are naturally produced. Cis-isomers have been noted in some plant tissues exposed to different mechanical processes as well as untreated tobacco leaves exposed to sunlight. Very little, however, is known about the biological significance and origin of cis-isomers. Here we show for the first time the accumulation of cis-5-caffeoylquinic acid in cultured tobacco cells treated with different inducers of plant defence (lipopolysaccharides, flagellin peptide-22, chitosan, acibenzolar-S-methyl and isonitrosoacetophenone), without exposure to UV light and with a 2-fold (on average) increase in the concentration of the pool in comparison to non-stimulated cells. Our UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and multivariate statistical results suggest the presence of a possible biological pathway responsible for the production of cis-CGAs in tobacco plants.

Comparative conventional- and quantum dot-labeling strategies for LPS binding site detection in Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll protoplasts

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria is recognized as a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) and not only induces an innate immune response in plants, but also stimulates the development of characteristic defense responses. However, identification and characterization of a cell surface LPS-receptor/binding site, as described in mammals, remains elusive in plants. As an amphiphilic, macromolecular lipoglycan, intact LPS potentially contains three MAMP-active regions, represented by the O-polysaccharide chain, the core and the lipid A. Binding site studies with intact labeled LPS were conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts and quantified using flow cytometry fluorescence changes. Quantum dots (Qdots), which allow non-covalent, hydrophobic labeling were used as a novel strategy in this study and compared to covalent, hydrophilic labeling with Alexa 488. Affinity for LPS-binding sites was clearly demonstrated by concentration-, temperature-, and time-dependent increases in protoplast fluorescence following treatment with the labeled LPS. Moreover, this induced fluorescence increase was convincingly reduced following pre-treatment with excess unlabeled LPS, thereby indicating reversibility of LPS binding. Inhibition of the binding process is also reported using endo- and exocytosis inhibitors. Here, we present evidence for the anticipated presence of LPS-specific binding sites in Arabidopsis protoplasts, and furthermore propose Qdots as a more sensitive LPS-labeling strategy in comparison to the conventional Alexa 488 hydrazide label for binding studies.

Analyses of chlorogenic acids and related cinnamic acid derivatives from Nicotiana tabacum tissues with the aid of UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based on the in-source collision-induced dissociation method

Background

Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) are a class of phytochemicals that are formed as esters between different derivatives of cinnamic acid and quinic acid molecules. In plants, accumulation of these compounds has been linked to several physiological responses against various stress factors; however, biochemical synthesis differs from one plant to another. Although structurally simple, the analysis of CGA molecules with modern analytical platforms poses an analytical challenge. The objective of the study was to perform a comparison of the CGA profiles and related derivatives from differentiated tobacco leaf tissues and undifferentiated cell suspension cultures.

Results

Using an UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS fingerprinting method based on the in-source collision induced dissociation (ISCID) approach, a total of 19 different metabolites with a cinnamic acid core moiety were identified. These metabolites were either present in both leaf tissue and cell suspension samples or in only one of the two plant systems. Profile differences point to underlying biochemical similarities or differences thereof.

Conclusion

Using this method, the regio- and geometric-isomer profiles of chlorogenic acids of the two tissue types of Nicotiana tabacum were achieved. The method was also shown to be applicable for the detection of other related molecules containing a cinnamic acid core.

Metabolomic insights into the bioconversion of isonitrosoacetophenone in Arabidopsis thaliana and its effects on defense-related pathways

Plants are constantly exposed to numerous biotic or abiotic stress factors throughout their life-cycle. Pathogens and pathogen-derived molecules are the best studied inducers of plant defense responses, but synthetic and naturally occurring molecules have also been used to induce various types of resistance in plants. Here, an oxime molecule, 2-isonitrosoacetophenone (INAP), related to the stress metabolite citaldoxime, was used to trigger metabolic changes in the metabolome of treated Arabidopsis thaliana plants as monitored by UHPLC-MS in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The chemometric methods revealed metabolites found to be significantly present in response to the treatment. These include bioconversion products (2-keto-2-phenylacetaldoxime-glycoside and l-mandelonitrile-glycoside) as well as those of which the levels are affected by the treatment (benzoic acid and derivatives, other phenylpropanoid-derived compounds and glucosinolates). Using in planta bacterial growth evaluations, INAP treatment was furthermore found to induce an anti-microbial environment in vivo.

Ergosterol, an orphan fungal microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)

Fungal pathogens continue to pose a significant threat to crop production and food supply. The early stages of plant-fungus interactions are mostly mediated by microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules, perceived by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Currently, the identified fungal MAMP molecules include chitin, chitosan, β-glucans, elicitins and ergosterol. Although the molecular battles between host plants and infecting fungal phytopathogens have been studied extensively, many aspects still need to be investigated to obtain a holistic understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms, which is paramount in combating fungal plant diseases. Here, an overview is given of the most recent findings concerning an 'orphan' fungal MAMP molecule, ergosterol, and we present what is currently known from a synopsis of different genes, proteins and metabolites found to play key roles in induced immune responses in plant-fungus interactions. Clearly, integrative investigations are still needed to provide a comprehensive systems-based understanding of the dynamics associated with molecular mechanisms in plant-ergosterol interactions and associated host responses.

Multivariate statistical models of metabolomic data reveals different metabolite distribution patterns in isonitrosoacetophenone-elicited Nicotiana tabacum and Sorghum bicolor cells

Isonitrosoacetophenone (INAP, 2-keto-2-phenyl-acetaldoxime) is a novel inducer of plant defense. Oxime functional groups are rare in natural products, but can serve as substrates depending on existing secondary pathways. Changes in the metabolomes of sorghum and tobacco cells treated with INAP were investigated and chemometric tools and multivariate statistical analysis were used to investigate the changes in metabolite distribution patterns resulting from INAP elicitation. Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) supplied unique chemical fingerprints that were generated in response to specific metabolomic events. Principal component analysis (PCA) together with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Metabolic Trees were used for data visualization. Orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and shared and unique structure (SUS) plots were exploited in parallel to reveal the changes in the metabolomes. PCA indicated that the cells responded differentially to INAP through changes in the metabolite profiles. Furthermore, HCA and Metabolic Trees showed that INAP induced metabolic perturbations in both cell lines and that homeostasis was re-established over time. OPLS-DA-based shared and unique structure (SUS) plots confirmed the results and revealed differences in the metabolites distribution patterns between tobacco and sorghum cells. Chemometric analyses of metabolomic data offers insight into changes in metabolism in response to chemical elicitation. Although similar, the response in sorghum cells was found to be more consistent and well-coordinated when compared to tobacco cells, indicative of the differences in secondary metabolism between cyanogenic and non-cyanogenic plants for oxime metabolism.

Multi-platform metabolomic analyses of ergosterol-induced dynamic changes in Nicotiana tabacum cells

Metabolomics is providing new dimensions into understanding the intracellular adaptive responses in plants to external stimuli. In this study, a multi-technology-metabolomic approach was used to investigate the effect of the fungal sterol, ergosterol, on the metabolome of cultured tobacco cells. Cell suspensions were treated with different concentrations (0-1000 nM) of ergosterol and incubated for different time periods (0-24 h). Intracellular metabolites were extracted with two methods: a selective dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction and a general methanol extraction. Chromatographic techniques (GC-FID, GC-MS, GC × GC-TOF-MS, UHPLC-MS) and (1)H NMR spectroscopy were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Multivariate data analyses (PCA and OPLS-DA models) were used to extract interpretable information from the multidimensional data generated from the analytical techniques. The results showed that ergosterol triggered differential changes in the metabolome of the cells, leading to variation in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. PCA scores plots revealed dose- and time-dependent metabolic variations, with optimal treatment conditions being found to be 300 nM ergosterol and an 18 h incubation period. The observed ergosterol-induced metabolic changes were correlated with changes in defence-related metabolites. The 'defensome' involved increases in terpenoid metabolites with five antimicrobial compounds (the bicyclic sesquiterpenoid phytoalexins: phytuberin, solavetivone, capsidiol, lubimin and rishitin) and other metabolites (abscisic acid and phytosterols) putatively identified. In addition, various phenylpropanoid precursors, cinnamic acid derivatives and - conjugates, coumarins and lignin monomers were annotated. These annotated metabolites revealed a dynamic reprogramming of metabolic networks that are functionally correlated, with a high complexity in their regulation.