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Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites

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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 December 2023) | Viewed by 9378

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Prof. Dr. Sławomir Dresler

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
2. Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 13 st., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Interests: secondary metabolites in plants; interaction between environmental stress and secondary metabolites in plants; chemometrics; phytochemistry
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Prof. Dr. Maciej Strzemski

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Guest Editor

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Interests: natural deep eutectic solvents; green extractions; phytochemistry; ethnopharmacology; interaction between environmental stress and secondary metabolites in plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The biosynthesis of specialized metabolites (traditionally known as secondary metabolites) is induced by many factors, and their content in plants of the same species exposed to contrasting growth conditions may differ significantly. Various environmental challenges including drought, UV-radiation, temperature stress, salinity, nutrient deficiency, pesticides, toxic gases, or heavy metal pollution change the level and composition of secondary metabolites in plants. Additionally, plants are able to modify their specialized metabolisms in response to the action of various living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or herbivores. As both abiotic and biotic stress can alter the biosynthesis and content of secondary metabolites, two major questions arise concerning the role of environmental factors in the endogenous accumulation of secondary metabolites. Firstly, there is a question of the role of diverse abiotic and biotic elicitors in the stimulation and enhancement of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. Improvement of the nutritional value and functionality of food of plant origin by elevation of the level of biologically active compounds appears to be greatly beneficial to human health. Secondly, the importance of secondary metabolites in the defence mechanism against stress factors as well as plant survival and improved competitiveness in severe environmental conditions are very important from the ecological perspective.

This Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences is dedicated to original research and review articles focusing on interactions between both abiotic/biotic stress factors and the status of secondary metabolites in plants. This Special Issue is related to a wide array of the biochemistry, biological activity, and functional roles of specialized metabolites. Particularly, we welcome research and review articles that contribute to these several topics (and not only these):

Stimulation of the biosynthesis of metabolites in plants via biotic and abiotic elicitors;
Biotechnology techniques in modification and production of plants metabolites;
In vitro production of secondary metabolites;
Specialized metabolites in stress resistance in plants;
Biological activities of specialized metabolites;
Biosynthesis of plant metabolites;
Chemometric tools in exploration of plant specialized metabolites;
Specialized metabolites as pharmacologically and medicinally useful bioactive molecules

Prof. Dr. Sławomir Dresler
Prof. Dr. Maciej Strzemski
Guest Editors

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Keywords

abiotic/biotic stress factors
plant secondary metabolites
biologically active compounds
elicitors
phytochemical composition
chemometrics
plant stress response
biotechnological modification of metabolites

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenolic-Based Discrimination between Non-Symptomatic and Symptomatic Leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum Infested by Cameraria ohridella and Erysiphe flexuosa

by Agnieszka Hanaka, Sławomir Dresler, Wiesław Mułenko, Magdalena Wójciak, Ireneusz Sowa, Magdalena Sawic, Katarzyna Stanisławek and Maciej Strzemski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 14071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814071 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 712

Abstract

The herbivore Cameraria ohridella (kingdom Animalia) and the pathogen Erysiphe flexuosa (kingdom Fungi) are considered pests and biotic stressors of Aesculus hippocastanum (chestnut trees). The impact of both pests on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in chestnut leaves was investigated. Specifically, the interactive effect of both pests on metabolite accumulation and their potential role in enhancing the resistance of chestnut trees to biological stress was the focus of this study. Aesculus hippocastanum leaves with varying degrees of Cameraria ohridella infestation and Erysiphe flexuosa infection were used in this research. Leaf samples were collected during the plant vegetative growth phase and evaluated for pest infection and secondary metabolite content. Eight main polyphenols were identified in the leaves: (1) neochlorogenic acid, (2) (−)-epicatechin, (3) procyanidin trimer A-type, (4) procyanidin tetramer A-type, (5) quercetin-3-O-arabinoside, (6) quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, (7) kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside, and (8) kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. It was found that the accumulation of metabolites, primarily those derived from epicatechin and quercetin, during the initial vegetation phase (up to 11.05 or 09.05), strongly depended on the later degree of pest infection. The differences observed in the metabolite dynamics in the chestnut leaves, depending on the extent of infection, indicate the development of a metabolic response mechanism in chestnut trees to biological stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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18 pages, 3943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BcMYB111 Responds to BcCBF2 and Induces Flavonol Biosynthesis to Enhance Tolerance under Cold Stress in Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage

by Xiaoshan Chen, Ying Wu, Zhanghong Yu, Zhanyuan Gao, Qiang Ding, Sayyed Hamad Ahmad Shah, Wenyuan Lin, Ying Li and Xilin Hou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108670 - 12 May 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1346

Abstract

Flavonols have been shown to respond to a variety of abiotic stresses in plants, including cold stress. Higher total flavonoid content was found in non-heading Chinese cabbage (NHCC, Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) ssp. chinensis) after cold stress. A non-targeted metabolome analysis showed a significant increase in flavonol content, including that of quercetin and kaempferol. Here, we found that an R2R3–MYB transcription factor, BcMYB111, may play a role in this process. BcMYB111 was up-regulated in response to cold treatment, with an accompanying accumulation of flavonols. Then, it was found that BcMYB111 could regulate the synthesis of flavonols by directly binding to the promoters of BcF3H and BcFLS1. In the transgenic hairy roots of NHCC or stable transgenic Arabidopsis, overexpression of BcMYB111 increased flavonol synthesis and accumulation, while these were reduced in virus-induced gene silencing lines in NHCC. After cold stress, the higher proline content and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content showed that there was less damage in transgenic Arabidopsis than in the wild-type (WT). The BcMYB111 transgenic lines performed better in terms of antioxidant capacity because of their lower H₂O₂ content and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activities. In addition, a key cold signaling gene, BcCBF2, could specifically bind to the DRE element and activate the expression of BcMYB111 in vitro and in vivo. The results suggested that BcMYB111 played a positive role in enhancing the flavonol synthesis and cold tolerance of NHCC. Taken together, these findings reveal that cold stress induces the accumulation of flavonols to increase tolerance via the pathway of BcCBF2–BcMYB111–BcF3H/BcFLS1 in NHCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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22 pages, 5478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aluminum and Fluoride Stresses Altered Organic Acid and Secondary Metabolism in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plants: Influences on Plant Tolerance, Tea Quality and Safety

by Anqi Peng, Keke Yu, Shuwei Yu, Yingying Li, Hao Zuo, Ping Li, Juan Li, Jianan Huang, Zhonghua Liu and Jian Zhao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054640 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

Tea plants have adapted to grow in tropical acidic soils containing high concentrations of aluminum (Al) and fluoride (F) (as Al/F hyperaccumulators) and use secret organic acids (OAs) to acidify the rhizosphere for acquiring phosphorous and element nutrients. The self-enhanced rhizosphere acidification under Al/F stress and acid rain also render tea plants prone to accumulate more heavy metals and F, which raises significant food safety and health concerns. However, the mechanism behind this is not fully understood. Here, we report that tea plants responded to Al and F stresses by synthesizing and secreting OAs and altering profiles of amino acids, catechins, and caffeine in their roots. These organic compounds could form tea-plant mechanisms to tolerate lower pH and higher Al and F concentrations. Furthermore, high concentrations of Al and F stresses negatively affected the accumulation of tea secondary metabolites in young leaves, and thereby tea nutrient value. The young leaves of tea seedlings under Al and F stresses also tended to increase Al and F accumulation in young leaves but lower essential tea secondary metabolites, which challenged tea quality and safety. Comparisons of transcriptome data combined with metabolite profiling revealed that the corresponding metabolic gene expression supported and explained the metabolism changes in tea roots and young leaves via stresses from high concentrations of Al and F. The study provides new insight into Al- and F-stressed tea plants with regard to responsive metabolism changes and tolerance strategy establishment in tea plants and the impacts of Al/F stresses on metabolite compositions in young leaves used for making teas, which could influence tea nutritional value and food safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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13 pages, 1876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Stress-Signalling Mediator Triacontanol on Biochemical and Physiological Modifications in Dracocephalum forrestii Culture

by Izabela Weremczuk-Jeżyna, Katarzyna Hnatuszko-Konka, Liwia Lebelt, Dorota G. Piotrowska and Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 15147; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315147 - 2 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1380

Abstract

Triacontanol (TRIA) has been reported to influence signal transduction in the crosstalk triggered by various stress factors. As a signal player, it is also known to affect many physiological processes, including enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Such knowledge can be used to direct or boost the production of bioactive secondary compounds without stress induction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the use of TRIA as a factor stimulating the growth and production of bioactive compounds in the shoot culture of Dracocephalum forrestii. TRIA was applied at three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 µM), alone or in combination with phytohormones (6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-acetic acid). After five weeks, growth and physiochemical parameters (chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and phenolic acid level) were determined. The results indicate that TRIA application significantly increased shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), and total polyphenol level; it also influenced the multiplication ratio in combination with growth regulators. The greatest antioxidant enzyme activity was observed for 5 µM TRIA in hormone-free medium, while the most significant secondary metabolite production was obtained for phytohormone-containing medium supplemented with 10 µM TRIA: total phenolic acid content (19.4 mg/g dry weight) was twice that of the control. Hence, the TRIA application appears to be a valuable biotechnology technique for modifying plant metabolite production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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18 pages, 2434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Sucrose Concentration on Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin Transformed Root Biomass, Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivative, and Flavonoid Production

by Ewa Skała, Monika Anna Olszewska, Joanna Makowczyńska and Agnieszka Kicel

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(22), 13848; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232213848 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1209

Abstract

Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin is a rare, pharmacopoeial, and medicinal plant, endemic to Siberia and endangered due to the massive collection of raw material from the natural habitat. The aim of the current study was to estimate the effect of sucrose concentration (0–7%) on R. carthamoides transformed root growth and on caffeoylquinic acid derivative (CQA) and flavonoid production. Sucrose in higher concentrations may induce osmotic stress and thus may affect secondary metabolism in plants. It was revealed that sucrose concentration influenced R. carthamoides transformed root biomass and modified the phenolic compound metabolic pathway. However, the dynamics of both processes varied significantly. The optimal sucrose level was different for biomass accumulation and the biosynthesis of specialized metabolite. The highest dry weight of roots was achieved for 7% sucrose (31.17 g L⁻¹ of dry weight), while 1% sucrose was found to be optimal for phenolic acid and flavonoid production. Considering the dry weight increase and metabolite accumulation, 3% sucrose was revealed to give optimal yields of CQAs (511.1 mg L⁻¹) and flavonoids (38.9 mg L⁻¹). Chlorogenic acid, 3,5-, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids, 1,4,5-O-tricaffeoylquinic acid, and a tentatively-identified tricaffeoylquinic acid derivative 1 were found to be the most abundant specialized metabolites among the identified CQAs. Our findings indicate that R. carthamoides transformed roots may be an efficient source of CQA derivatives, with valuable health-promoting activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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15 pages, 2897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Traits Underlying the Growth Promotion and Metabolite Accumulation in Rheum palmatum Inoculated with Endophytic Trichoderma citrinoviride HT-1

by Dawei Chen, Wenjing Shi, Yihan Wang, Jing Zhao, Hui Zhang, Lingyun Jia and Kun Sun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(21), 13132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232113132 - 28 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1328

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are an important plant-growth-promoting fungi. Trichoderma citrinoviride HT-1 was isolated from Rheum palmatum root, which has beneficial effects on growth and metabolite accumulation. However, the improvement mechanisms for growth and metabolite accumulation of T. citrinoviride HT-1 are unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to measure the effect of different concentrations of conidial suspension of the HT-1 strain on the growth promotion and metabolite accumulation of R. palmatum seedlings. The results showed that the highest biomass and metabolites of R. palmatum seedlings were obtained through treatment with the HT-1 strain at a final spore concentration of 10⁷ spores/mL. RNA sequencing indicated that 1662 genes were upregulated and 2155 genes were downregulated after inoculation with 10⁷ spores/mL of the HT-1 strain. This strain induced significant upregulation of related genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, plant hormone signal transduction pathway, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites pathway, and plant–pathogen interaction pathway in R. palmatum. The gene expression trends were revealed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and were consistent with those determined by RNA-seq. Our results will help us to understand the growth-promoting mechanisms of the HT-1 strain on R. palmatum and provide a theoretical basis for the application of T. citrinoviride HT-1 as a biological fertilizer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Biotic/Abiotic Stress Factors on Plant Specialized Metabolites)

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