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Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 32017

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Natalia V. Zagoskina

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Plant Phenolic Metabolism Group, K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya Street, 35, 127276 Moscow, Russia
Interests: biotic and abiotic stress; plants; in vitro cultures; sustainability; biological responses; bioactive compounds; antioxidants; phenolics; nutraceuticals; plant biochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The vital activity and productivity of plants are the determining factors in the preservation of the ecology and biological diversity of our planet. A variety of nutrients are the basis of nutrition and human health. Plants make significant contributions to the preservation of a comfortable atmosphere for various organisms, able to smooth out sharp fluctuations in humidity, temperature and gas composition that would be hazardous to life. They are also sources of valuable metabolites for nutritional and therapeutic use. In connection with the currently observed changes in climatic conditions on Earth, plants are increasingly exposed to the damaging effects of both ordinary and climate-dependent biotic and abiotic environmental factors (temperature fluctuations and long periods of drought, heat, changes in the intensity and duration of light exposure, UV radiation, increase in ozone concentration, acid rain, salinization, pathogens, etc.). Equally important are the damaging effects of stresses associated with environmental pollution by heavy metals, herbicides, agricultural and industrial effluents causing secondary pollution, secondary salinization and other modifications of the habitat and cultivation of various species. This leads to a change in metabolic processes, modification of the accumulation of primary (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc.) and secondary (polyphenols, terpenoids and alkaloids) metabolites, and, as a result, a decrease in productivity and/or a change in the composition and beneficial properties of cultivated plants, which is especially important for agricultural crops. Such changes can not only inhibit the growth of plants, but also make them unsuitable for creating food products or using them in normal technological schemes due to an irreversible change in quality, composition and properties.

The study of the mechanisms of adaptation of plants to a stress factor in changing environmental conditions is, in this regard, an urgent and important goal. To a large extent, it is due to the need to obtain from plants and parts of plant bioantioxidants as effective nutraceuticals to preserve and maintain human viability worldwide. It is equally important to take into account new challenges and requirements when creating new varieties and breeding lines, in biodiversity conservation work. In this Special Issue, "Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism Under Abiotic and Biotic Stress", we invite you to highlight new advances in plant physiology regarding the effects of various stress factors on primary and secondary metabolism using various experimental approaches (physiology and biochemistry plants, molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, ecology, breeding, agrochemistry and cytology). Authors are invited to submit related original research articles, reviews, and communications.

Prof. Dr. Natalia V. Zagoskina
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

in vitro plant cultures
plants
abiotic stress (drought, heat, salinity, cold, flooding)
biotic stress (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, insects, weeds)
physiological/biochemical stress responses
oxidative stress
genes and proteins
breeding and agronomy
primary components (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins)
secondary components (polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids)
metabolome
proteome

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

8 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism Under Abiotic and Biotic Stress”

by Natalia Zagoskina

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212339 - 17 Nov 2024

Viewed by 522

Abstract

One of the most relevant areas of biology is the study of plant adaptation processes to the action of various stress factors of abiotic and biotic nature, which is reflected in the works of molecular biologists, geneticists, microbiologists, plant physiologists, and biochemists, as [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

19 pages, 2479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contrast Relative Humidity Response of Diverse Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Genotypes: Deep Study Using RNAseq Approach

by Ekaterina A. Krylova, Marina O. Burlyaeva, Varvara E. Tvorogova and Elena K. Khlestkina

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 11056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252011056 - 15 Oct 2024

Viewed by 958

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is appreciated for its suitability for cultivation and obtaining good yields in relatively extreme farming conditions. It is resistant to high temperatures and drought. Moreover, food products prepared from Vigna are rich in many nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals, fiber, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. However, in East and Southeast Asia, where the products of this crop are in demand, the climate is characterized by excessive humidity. Under these conditions, the vast majority of cowpea varieties tend to have indeterminate growth (elongated shoot length) and are unsuitable for mechanized harvesting. The molecular mechanisms for tolerance to high relative humidity remain the least studied in comparison with those for other abiotic stress factors (drought, heat, cold, flooding, etc.). The purpose of the work was to reveal and investigate differentially expressed genes in cowpea accessions having contrasting growth habits (determinate and indeterminate) under humid and drought conditions. We performed RNA-seq analysis using selected cowpea accessions from the VIR collection. Among the genotypes used, some have significant changes in their plant architecture in response to high relative humidity, while others were tolerant to these conditions. In total, we detected 1697 upregulated and 1933 downregulated genes. The results showed that phytohormone-related genes are involved in cowpea response to high relative humidity. DEGs associated with jasmonic acid signaling are proposed to be key contributors in the maintenance of compact architecture under humid conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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11 pages, 3346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Roles of the Anthraquinone Parietin in the Tolerance to Desiccation of the Lichen Xanthoria parietina: Physiology and Anatomy of the Pale and Bright-Orange Thalli

by Amina G. Daminova, Ilya Y. Leksin, Venera R. Khabibrakhmanova, Oleg P. Gurjanov, Ekaterina I. Galeeva, Tatyana V. Trifonova, Ayrat R. Khamatgalimov, Richard P. Beckett and Farida V. Minibayeva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137067 - 27 Jun 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1736

Abstract

Lichens are symbiotic organisms that effectively survive in harsh environments, including arid regions. Maintaining viability with an almost complete loss of water and the rapid restoration of metabolism during rehydration distinguishes lichens from most eukaryotic organisms. The lichen Xanthoria parietina is known to have high stress tolerance, possessing diverse defense mechanisms, including the presence of the bright-orange pigment parietin. While several studies have demonstrated the photoprotective and antioxidant properties of this anthraquinone, the role of parietin in the tolerance of lichens to desiccation is not clear yet. Thalli, which are exposed to solar radiation and become bright orange, may require enhanced desiccation tolerance. Here, we showed differences in the anatomy of naturally pale and bright-orange thalli of X. parietina and visualized parietin crystals on the surface of the upper cortex. Parietin was extracted from bright-orange thalli by acetone rinsing and quantified using HPLC. Although acetone rinsing did not affect PSII activity, thalli without parietin had higher levels of lipid peroxidation and a lower membrane stability index in response to desiccation. Furthermore, highly pigmented thalli possess thicker cell walls and, according to thermogravimetric analysis, higher water-holding capacities than pale thalli. Thus, parietin may play a role in desiccation tolerance by stabilizing mycobiont membranes, providing an antioxidative defense, and changing the morphology of the upper cortex of X. parietina. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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26 pages, 1675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basidiomycetes Polysaccharides Regulate Growth and Antioxidant Defense System in Wheat

by Olga Tsivileva, Andrei Shaternikov and Nina Evseeva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 6877; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136877 - 22 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1032

Abstract

Higher-fungi xylotrophic basidiomycetes are known to be the reservoirs of bioactive metabolites. Currently, a great deal of attention has been paid to the exploitation of mycelial fungi products as an innovative alternative in crop protection. No data exist on the mechanisms behind the interaction between xylotrophic mushrooms’ glycopolymeric substances and plants. In this study, the effects of basidiomycete metabolites on the morphophysiological and biochemical variables of wheat plants have been explored. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Saratovskaya 29) seedlings were treated with extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) isolated from the submerged cultures of twenty basidiomycete strains assigned to 13 species and 8 genera. The EPS solutions at final concentrations of 15, 40, and 80 mg/L were applied to wheat seedlings followed by their growth for 10 days. In the plant samples, the biomass, length of coleoptile, shoot and root, root number, rate of lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde concentration, content of hydrogen peroxide, and total phenols were measured. The peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were defined. Most of the EPS preparations improved biomass yields, as well as the morphological parameters examined. EPS application enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased oxidative damage to lipids. Judging by its overall effect on the growth indices and redox system of wheat plants, an EPS concentration of 40 mg/L has been shown to be the most beneficial compared to other concentrations. This study proves that novel bioformulations based on mushroom EPSs can be developed and are effective for wheat growth and antioxidative response. Phytostimulating properties found for EPSs give grounds to consider extracellular metabolites produced in the xylotrophic basidiomycete cultures as an active component capable of inducing plant responses to stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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17 pages, 2427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anatomical and Metabolome Features of Haloxylon aphyllum and Haloxylon persicum Elucidate the Resilience against Gall-Forming Insects

by Nina V. Terletskaya, Aigerim Mamirova, Kazhybek Ashimuly, Yekaterina P. Vibe and Yana A. Krekova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4738; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094738 - 26 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1522

Abstract

Globally, gall-forming insects significantly contribute to the degradation of desert ecosystems. Recent studies have demonstrated that Haloxylon persicum suffers less damage from gall-formers compared to Haloxylon aphyllum. However, the mechanisms driving the long-term metabolic responses of these species to gall-forming biotic stress in their natural environment remain unclear. The current study comparatively analyzes the anatomical features and metabolomic changes in H. aphyllum and H. persicum damaged by gall-forming insects. This research aimed to uncover potential metabolic tolerance mechanisms through GC-MS analysis. The study findings indicate that gall-forming insects cause a reduction in nearly all the anatomical structures of Haloxylon shoots, with the effects being less severe in H. persicum than in H. aphyllum. Thus, the metabolic pathways responsible for the biosynthesis of biologically active substances that enhance resistance to gall inducers were different, specifically in H. aphyllum—the biosynthesis of fatty acids (+their derivatives) and γ-tocopherol (vitamin E) and H. persicum—the biosynthesis of fatty acids (+their derivatives), dialkyl ethers, carbohydrates (+their derivatives), aromatic acid derivatives, phytosterols, γ-tocopherol (vitamin E), phenols, and terpenoids. The results suggest that the modulation of metabolic pathways under biotic stress plays a crucial role in the enhanced survival and growth of H. persicum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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11 pages, 3131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aluminum Supplementation Mediates the Changes in Tea Plant Growth and Metabolism in Response to Calcium Stress

by Hua Zhang, Yakang Song, Zhenglei Fan, Jianyun Ruan, Jianhui Hu and Qunfeng Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010530 - 30 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

Tea plants are more sensitive to variations in calcium concentration compared to other plants, whereas a moderate aluminum concentration facilitates the growth and development of tea plants. Aluminum and calcium show a competitive interaction with respect to the uptake of elements, consequently exerting physiological effects on plants. To further explore these interactions, in this study, we used the solution culture method to treat tea plants with two calcium concentrations (0.8 mM and 5.6 mM) and three aluminum concentrations (0 mM, 0.4 mM, and 1 mM). We then determined the influence of the combined treatments on root growth and quality compound accumulation in the tissues by a combination of phenotype, gene expression, and metabolite analyses. Moderate aluminum supplementation (0.4 mM) alleviated the inhibition of root growth caused by high calcium stress. High calcium stress significantly inhibited the accumulation of most amino acids (e.g., Glutamic acid, Citulline, and Arginine) and organic acids (e.g., a-ketoglutaric acid) in the roots, stems, and leaves, whereas aluminum deficiency significantly increased most amino acids in the roots and leaves (except Serine, Alanine, and Phenylalanine in the roots and Ser in the leaves), with a more than two-fold increase in Arg and Lysine. High calcium stress also induced the accumulation of secondary metabolites such as epigallocatechin gallate and procyanidin in the roots, whereas aluminum supplementation significantly reduced the contents of flavonol glycosides such as quercetin, rutin, myricitrin, and kaempferitrin, as well as caffeine, regardless of calcium concentration. Aluminum supplementation reversed some of the changes in the contents of leaf metabolites induced by calcium stress (e.g., 4-dihydroquercetin, apigenin C-pentoside, phenethylamine, and caffeine). Overall, calcium stress caused severe growth inhibition and metabolic disorders in tea plants, which could be reversed by aluminum supplementation, particularly in maintaining the root tips and the accumulation of secondary metabolites. These results provide a theoretical basis for improving calcium-aluminum nutrient management to promote tea plant growth and quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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16 pages, 1767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolic and Transcriptomic Approaches of Chitosan and Water Stress on Polyphenolic and Terpenoid Components and Gene Expression in Salvia abrotanoides (Karl.) and S. yangii

by Farzaneh Khodadadi, Farajollah Shahriai Ahmadi, Majid Talebi, Adam Matkowski, Antoni Szumny, Mahvash Afshari and Mehdi Rahimmalek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015426 - 21 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1756

Abstract

In this research, a HPLC analysis, along with transcriptomics tools, was applied to evaluate chitosan and water stress for the prediction of phenolic flavonoids patterns and terpenoid components accumulation in Salvia abrotanoides Karel and S. yangii. The results indicated that the tanshinone contents under drought stress conditions increased 4.2-fold with increasing drought stress intensity in both species. The rosmarinic acid content in the leaves varied from 0.038 to 11.43 mg/g DW. In addition, the flavonoid content was increased (1.8 and 1.4-fold) under mild water deficit conditions with a moderate concentration of chitosan (100 mg L⁻¹). The application of foliar chitosan at 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹ under well-watered and mild stress conditions led to increases in hydroxyl cryptotanshinone (OH-CT) and cryptotanshinone (CT) contents as the major terpenoid components in both species. The expressions of the studied genes (DXS2, HMGR, KSL, 4CL, and TAT) were also noticeably induced by water deficit and variably modulated by the treatment with chitosan. According to our findings, both the drought stress and the application of foliar chitosan altered the expression levels of certain genes. Specifically, we observed changes in the expression levels of DXS and HMGR, which are upstream genes in the MEP and MVA pathways, respectively. Additionally, the expression level of KSL, a downstream gene involved in diterpenoid synthesis, was also affected. Finally, the present investigation confirmed that chitosan treatments and water stress were affected in both the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP) and mevalonate (MVA) pathways, but their commitment to the production of other isoprenoids has to be considered and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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19 pages, 4317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphometric Characteristics and Genetic Issr Marker Variability in Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) in Different Ecological and Geographic Conditions in the Altai Republic

by Olga V. Dorogina, Irina N. Kuban, Altynai A. Achimova, Natasha Williams, Nicolay N. Lashchinskiy and Elena V. Zhmud

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015224 - 16 Oct 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1687

Abstract

Rhodiola rosea L. is a vulnerable species in the Altai Republic (AR) and Russia in general. For the first time on the territory of AR, studies of the adaptive capabilities of the species and genetic differentiation using ISSR markers were carried out in seven cenopopulations (CP) of R. rosea in 2018 and 2020. The research was founded on the notion of conducting a comparative analysis of the morphogenetic structure of Rhodiola rosea populations in various ecological and geographical conditions of AR. The aim of this work is to evaluate the variability of morphometric traits of sexually mature living female R. rosea plants and to conduct a comparative analysis of genetic variability in cenopopulations (CP) both under undisturbed conditions and under stressful conditions of anthropogenic impact (grazing). Of the 8 primers used, HB12 turned out to be the most informative. The percentage of polymorphic loci in the populations between 0 and 88%. Two populations, located in favorable conditions at relatively low absolute altitudes (2000 m above sea level) (masl) in the undisturbed habitats of the Katun and Altai reserves of AR, were characterized by higher polymorphism. The share of polymorphic loci reached 80%. According to the analysis of statistical data, the highest values of morphometric parameters of the aerial parts of R. rosea plants and the highest potential seed productivity were also recorded in these habitats. Representatives of two high-mountain CPs (2400–2500 masl) in the Sailyugemsky National Park (SNP) were characterized by the lowest genetic polymorphism. Their genetic structure is the most homogeneous, since we have not found polymorphic loci. Due to spatial isolation, these individuals are reliably genetically differentiated. In addition, individuals of one type were subjected to stressful anthropogenic impact (grazing). Therefore, the smallest sizes and lowest potential seed productivity were recorded. Our research shows that alpine populations of R. rosea in AR, under conditions of anthropogenic stress, need protection for their gene pool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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14 pages, 28386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Accumulation of Volatile Compounds and the Change in the Morphology of the Leaf Wax Cover Accompanied the “Anti-Aging” Effect in Anethum graveolens L. Plants Sprayed with 6-Benzylaminopurine

by Anna V. Shirokova, Lev B. Dmitriev, Sergey L. Belopukhov, Valeria L. Dmitrieva, Irina L. Danilova, Viktor A. Kharchenko, Olga A. Pekhova, Elena F. Myagkih, Andrey N. Tsitsilin, Alexander A. Gulevich, Ekaterina V. Zhuravleva, Yulia N. Kostanchuk and Ekaterina N. Baranova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015137 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1537

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are of commercial importance for medicine, food, cosmetics, the perfume industry, and agriculture. In plants, EOs, like the wax cover, serve as protection against abiotic stresses, such as high temperatures and water deficiency. The use of spraying with exogenous hormones of aromatic plants affects the accumulation and composition of volatile compounds, as well as tolerance to abiotic stress. As a result of cytokinin treatment with 6-BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) (200 mg L^−l) of Anetum graveolens L. “Uzory” and “Rusich” varieties, several responses to its action were revealed: a change in the division of leaf blades, inhibition of flowering, an increase in the content of EO and its main components α-phellandrene and p-cymene in leaves, and limonene in umbels and fruits. It was revealed that the increased accumulation of EO in dill leaves was longer with sufficient moisture. In contrast, under conditions of heat and water deficiency, the effect of 6-BAP treatment on accumulations of the EO in leaves was short-lived and did not appear on umbels and fruits. The study of the cytokinin effect on a fine structure of a wax cover on the adaxial side of leaves by scanning electron microscopy revealed a change in its elements (from amorphous layers with scales to thin tubules), which probably increased the sensitivity of leaves to water deficiency and, consequently, led to a decrease in the biosynthetic activity of leaf tissue. Thus, 6-BAP had an impact on the adaptive properties of dill plants, prolonging the “youth” of vegetative organs and the ability to EO biosynthesis under conditions of sufficient moisture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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16 pages, 3199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochemical Responses to the Long-Term Impact of Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄) in Tobacco Plants

by Anastasia S. Tugbaeva, Alexander A. Ermoshin and Irina S. Kiseleva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015129 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2242

Abstract

Metabolic changes under stress are often studied in short-term experiments, revealing rapid responses in gene expression, enzyme activity, and the amount of antioxidants. In a long-term experiment, it is possible to identify adaptive changes in both primary and secondary metabolism. In this study, we characterized the physiological state of tobacco plants and assessed the amount and spectrum of phenolic compounds and the lignification of axial organs under excess copper stress in a long-term experiment (40 days). Plants were treated with 100 and 300 μM CuSO₄, as well as a control (Knop solution). Copper accumulation, the size and anatomical structure of organs, stress markers, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were studied. Lignin content was determined with the cysteine-assisted sulfuric method (CASA), and the metabolite profile and phenolic spectrum were determined with UHPLC-MS and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Cu²⁺ mainly accumulated in the roots and, to a lesser extent, in the shoots. Copper sulfate (100 μM) slightly stimulated stem and leaf growth. A higher concentration (300 μM) caused oxidative stress; H₂O₂ content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activity increased in roots, and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in all organs. The deposition of lignin increased in the roots and stems compared with the control. The content of free phenolics, which could be used as substrates for lignification, declined. The proportions of ferulic, cinnamic, and p-coumaric acids in the hydrolysate of bound phenolics were higher, and they tended toward additional lignification. The metabolic profile changed in both roots and stems at both concentrations, and changed in leaves only at a concentration of 300 μM. Thus, changes in the phenolic spectrum and the enhanced lignification of cell walls in the metaxylem of axial (root and stem) organs in tobacco can be considered important metabolic responses to stress caused by excess CuSO₄. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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14 pages, 2893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Temporal and Geographical Dynamics of Potato Virus Y Diversity in Russia

by Viktoriya O. Samarskaya, Eugene V. Ryabov, Nikita Gryzunov, Nadezhda Spechenkova, Maria Kuznetsova, Irina Ilina, Tatiana Suprunova, Michael E. Taliansky, Peter A. Ivanov and Natalia O. Kalinina

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14833; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914833 - 2 Oct 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

Potato virus Y, an important viral pathogen of potato, has several genetic variants and geographic distributions which could be affected by environmental factors, aphid vectors, and reservoir plants. PVY is transmitted to virus-free potato plants by aphids and passed on to the next vegetative generations through tubers, but the effects of tuber transmission in PVY is largely unknown. By using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated PVY populations transmitted to potato plants by aphids in different climate zones of Russia, namely the Moscow and Astrakhan regions. We analyzed sprouts from the tubers produced by field-infected plants to investigate the impact of tuber transmission on PVY genetics. We found a significantly higher diversity of PVY isolates in the Astrakhan region, where winters are shorter and milder and summers are warmer compared to the Moscow region. While five PVY types, NTNa, NTNb, N:O, N-Wi, and SYR-I, were present in both regions, SYRI-II, SYRI-III, and 261-4 were only found in the Astrakhan region. All these recombinants were composed of the genome sections derived from PVY types O and N, but no full-length sequences of such types were present. The composition of the PVY variants in the tuber sprouts was not always the same as in their parental plants, suggesting that tuber transmission impacts PVY genetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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27 pages, 19995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heterologous codA Gene Expression Leads to Mitigation of Salt Stress Effects and Modulates Developmental Processes

by Galina N. Raldugina, Lilia R. Bogoutdinova, Olga V. Shelepova, Vera V. Kondrateva, Ekaterina V. Platonova, Tatiana L. Nechaeva, Varvara V. Kazantseva, Pyotr V. Lapshin, Helen I. Rostovtseva, Tatiana S. Aniskina, Pyotr N. Kharchenko, Natalia V. Zagoskina, Alexander A. Gulevich and Ekaterina N. Baranova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13998; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813998 - 12 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1459

Abstract

Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the choline oxidase gene from A. globiformis showed an increase in resistance at the level of primary and secondary biosynthesis of metabolites, removing the damage characteristic of salinity and stabilizing the condition of plants. We used 200 mM NaCl, which inhibits the growth of tobacco plants at all stages of development. Leaves of transgenic and wild-type (WT) plants Nicotiána tabácum were used for biochemical, cytological and molecular biological analysis. However, for transgenic lines cultivated under normal conditions (without salinity), we noted juvenile characteristics, delay in flowering, and slowing down of development, including the photosynthetic apparatus. This caused changes in the amount of chlorophyll, a delay in the plastid grana development with the preservation of prolamellar bodies. It also caused changes in the amount of sugars and indirectly downstream processes. A significant change in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and a change in metabolism is probably compensated by the regulation of a number of genes, the expression level of which was also changed. Thus, the tolerance of transgenic tobacco plants to salinity, which manifested itself as a result of the constitutive expression of codA, demonstrates an advantage over WT plants, but in the absence of salinity, transgenic plants did not have such advantages due to juvenilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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Review

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28 pages, 2286 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Life with and without Oxygen: A Metabolomics Approach

by Vladislav V. Yemelyanov, Roman K. Puzanskiy and Maria F. Shishova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216222 - 12 Nov 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2626

Abstract

Oxygen deficiency is an environmental challenge which affects plant growth, the development and distribution in land and aquatic ecosystems, as well as crop yield losses worldwide. The capacity to exist in the conditions of deficiency or the complete lack of oxygen depends on a number of anatomic, developmental and molecular adaptations. The lack of molecular oxygen leads to an inhibition of aerobic respiration, which causes energy starvation and the acceleration of glycolysis passing into fermentations. We focus on systemic metabolic alterations revealed with the different approaches of metabolomics. Oxygen deprivation stimulates the accumulation of glucose, pyruvate and lactate, indicating the acceleration of the sugar metabolism, glycolysis and lactic fermentation, respectively. Among the Krebs-cycle metabolites, only the succinate level increases. Amino acids related to glycolysis, including the phosphoglycerate family (Ser and Gly), shikimate family (Phe, Tyr and Trp) and pyruvate family (Ala, Leu and Val), are greatly elevated. Members of the Asp family (Asn, Lys, Met, Thr and Ile), as well as the Glu family (Glu, Pro, Arg and GABA), accumulate as well. These metabolites are important members of the metabolic signature of oxygen deficiency in plants, linking glycolysis with an altered Krebs cycle and allowing alternative pathways of NAD(P)H reoxidation to avoid the excessive accumulation of toxic fermentation products (lactate, acetaldehyde, ethanol). Reoxygenation induces the downregulation of the levels of major anaerobically induced metabolites, including lactate, succinate and amino acids, especially members of the pyruvate family (Ala, Leu and Val), Tyr and Glu family (GABA and Glu) and Asp family (Asn, Met, Thr and Ile). The metabolic profiles during native and environmental hypoxia are rather similar, consisting in the accumulation of fermentation products, succinate, fumarate and amino acids, particularly Ala, Gly and GABA. The most intriguing fact is that metabolic alterations during oxidative stress are very much similar, with plant response to oxygen deprivation but not to reoxygenation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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Open AccessReview

Polyphenols in Plants: Structure, Biosynthesis, Abiotic Stress Regulation, and Practical Applications (Review)

by Natalia V. Zagoskina, Maria Y. Zubova, Tatiana L. Nechaeva, Varvara V. Kazantseva, Evgenia A. Goncharuk, Vera M. Katanskaya, Ekaterina N. Baranova and Maria A. Aksenova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13874; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813874 - 9 Sep 2023

Cited by 73 | Viewed by 9856

Abstract

Phenolic compounds or polyphenols are among the most common compounds of secondary metabolism in plants. Their biosynthesis is characteristic of all plant cells and is carried out with the participation of the shikimate and acetate-malonate pathways. In this case, polyphenols of various structures are formed, such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and various oligomeric and polymeric compounds of phenolic nature. Their number already exceeds 10,000. The diversity of phenolics affects their biological activity and functional role. Most of their representatives are characterized by interaction with reactive oxygen species, which manifests itself not only in plants but also in the human body, where they enter through food chains. Having a high biological activity, phenolic compounds are successfully used as medicines and nutritional supplements for the health of the population. The accumulation and biosynthesis of polyphenols in plants depend on many factors, including physiological–biochemical, molecular–genetic, and environmental factors. In the review, we present the latest literature data on the structure of various classes of phenolic compounds, their antioxidant activity, and their biosynthesis, including their molecular genetic aspects (genes and transfactors). Since plants grow with significant environmental changes on the planet, their response to the action of abiotic factors (light, UV radiation, temperature, and heavy metals) at the level of accumulation and composition of these secondary metabolites, as well as their metabolic regulation, is considered. Information is given about plant polyphenols as important and necessary components of functional nutrition and pharmaceutically valuable substances for the health of the population. Proposals on promising areas of research and development in the field of plant polyphenols are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Physiology of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolism under Abiotic and Biotic Stress)

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