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Martinez M, Diaz I. Plant Cyanogenic-Derived Metabolites and Herbivore Counter-Defences. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1239. [PMID: 38732453 PMCID: PMC11085660 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The release of cyanide from cyanogenic precursors is the central core of the plant defences based on the cyanogenesis process. Although cyanide is formed as a coproduct of some metabolic routes, its production is mostly due to the degradation of cyanohydrins originating from cyanogenic glycosides in cyanogenic plants and the 4-OH-ICN route in Brassicaceae. Cyanohydrins are then hydrolysed in a reversible reaction generating cyanide, being both, cyanohydrins and cyanide, toxic compounds with potential defensive properties against pests and pathogens. Based on the production of cyanogenic-derived molecules in response to the damage caused by herbivore infestation, in this review, we compile the actual knowledge of plant cyanogenic events in the plant-pest context. Besides the defensive potential, the mode of action, and the targets of the cyanogenic compounds to combat phytophagous insects and acari, special attention has been paid to arthropod responses and the strategies to overcome the impact of cyanogenesis. Physiological and behavioural adaptations, as well as cyanide detoxification by β-cyanoalanine synthases, rhodaneses, and cyanases are common ways of phytophagous arthropods defences against the cyanide produced by plants. Much experimental work is needed to further understand the complexities and specificities of the defence-counter-defence system to be applied in breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Martinez
- Centro de Biotecnologia y Genomica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento de Biotecnologia-Biologia Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Diaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia y Genomica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento de Biotecnologia-Biologia Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Dixit S, Widemann E, Bensoussan N, Salehipourshirazi G, Bruinsma K, Milojevic M, Shukla A, Romero LC, Zhurov V, Bernards MA, Chruszcz M, Grbić M, Grbić V. β-Cyanoalanine synthase protects mites against Arabidopsis defenses. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:1961-1975. [PMID: 35348790 PMCID: PMC9342966 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Glucosinolates are antiherbivory chemical defense compounds in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Specialist herbivores that feed on brassicaceous plants have evolved various mechanisms aimed at preventing the formation of toxic isothiocyanates. In contrast, generalist herbivores typically detoxify isothiocyanates through glutathione conjugation upon exposure. Here, we examined the response of an extreme generalist herbivore, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch), to indole glucosinolates. Tetranychus urticae is a composite generalist whose individual populations have a restricted host range but have an ability to rapidly adapt to initially unfavorable plant hosts. Through comparative transcriptomic analysis of mite populations that have differential susceptibilities to Arabidopsis defenses, we identified β-cyanoalanine synthase of T. urticae (TuCAS), which encodes an enzyme with dual cysteine and β-cyanoalanine synthase activities. We combined Arabidopsis genetics, chemical complementation and mite reverse genetics to show that TuCAS is required for mite adaptation to Arabidopsis through its β-cyanoalanine synthase activity. Consistent with the β-cyanoalanine synthase role in detoxification of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), we discovered that upon mite herbivory, Arabidopsis plants release HCN. We further demonstrated that indole glucosinolates are sufficient for cyanide formation. Overall, our study uncovered Arabidopsis defenses that rely on indole glucosinolate-dependent cyanide for protection against mite herbivory. In response, Arabidopsis-adapted mites utilize the β-cyanoalanine synthase activity of TuCAS to counter cyanide toxicity, highlighting the mite's ability to activate resistant traits that enable this extreme polyphagous herbivore to exploit cyanogenic host plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicolas Bensoussan
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | | | - Kristie Bruinsma
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Maja Milojevic
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Akanchha Shukla
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Luis C Romero
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, E-41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Vladimir Zhurov
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Mark A Bernards
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Maksymilian Chruszcz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA
| | - Miodrag Grbić
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
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