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Plant Development and Signals Plants use development to solve ecological problems Repair, maintain, flourish Resist competitors, herbivores, pathogens, abiotic factors Seek out resources Plants respond to environmental and endogenous signals
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Plant Development and Signals Plants use development to solve ecological problems • Repair, maintain, flourish • Resist competitors, herbivores, pathogens, abiotic factors • Seek out resources Plants respond to environmental and endogenous signals Signals alter gene reading programs and influence: • Cell division, expansion and differentiation at meristems • Tissue, organ and whole plant modification • Fitness
Gene reading programsand flow of information DNA gene promoter m RNA transcript + - + - + - Protein synthesis Signal(s) + - protein enzymes cytoskeletal + - regulatory transporter structural
Classes of signals Internal (endogenous); generally chemical • Hormone • Non-hormone • Electrical gradients (but much less so than animals) External, generally non-chemical • Electrical, light, gravity, temperature, mechanical forces • Some chemical cues (e.g. MeJ)
Internal chemical signals Hormones (a definition from animal biologists) • Naturally occurring organic molecules that act in small concentrations • Sole function is to serve as a developmental signal • Signal is context dependent • Typically move from source to target Plant biologist- naturally occurring organic molecule whose sole function is to serve as a development signal • 5 classes of plant hormones
Auxin • Indoleacetic acid (IAA), IBA • Activity determined by charge separation • Many synthetics • Roles: + 0.55 nm -
Gibberellins (GA) • Large family of compounds • Numbered according to discovery • Three linked rings with side groups • Roles:
Cytokinins (CK) • Derivative of adenine • Different functional (R) groups attached • Roles: R group
Ethylene (C2H4) • Gas at room temperature • Roles: H H C C H H
Abscisic acid (ABA) • Named b/c it was discovered in abscised lvs • Not the direct cause of leaf loss though • Roles:
Internal non-hormone chemical signals Phenolics (Phe) • Coumarin • Anthocyanin • Salicylic acid • Ferulic acid R O
Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) • Related to stress response(s) • Root initiation, tendril coiling, pollen germination • Volatile interspecies ‘messages’
Oligosaccarides (Oligos) • Polymers of carbohydrates • Related to defense response • Phytoalexins, chitinase, and protease inhibitors
External chemical signals • Nitrate (NO3-) • Controls nitrogen assimilation • Hydroquinones • Can signal parasitic plants to start ‘parasite gene reading program’
Principles of plant hormone action • Each hormone causes many responses IAA - Abscission + Root initiation + Stem elongation - + Bud expansion Vascular repair
Principles of plant hormone action • A hormone’s effect can differ between organs and species, and with age. Wheat seedling elongation Stem elongation + 10-6 IAA - Root elongation
Principles of plant hormone action 3. Many hormones can affect the same response CK IAA GA + + + Cell division
Hormone sensors Since signals vary, the meaning of a signal depends on receptors and sensitivity (kinds of sensors a cell contains) Cells must have sensors/receptors; when hormone binds w/ following (blue) molecules response set off • Membrane channels or carriers receive and transport signal (A) • Signal activates enzyme (CD) • Receptor is regulatory protein (B) A + - A Gene reading + - + + - C D B
Setting off a response Responses may occur when the cell has a threshold number of receptors bound to hormones Equilibrium conditions predicts that response can occur when: • Hormone concentration increased • Receptor concentration increased (= sensitivity) Hormone Receptor Response + HR
Response depends on concentration • Induction – on/off response once threshold hormone level is exceeded • Modulation – on-going log linear dose response 100% Response 0% [Hormone] Physiologic range Response 10-8 10-6 [Hormone]
Hormone concentration control • Synthesis • Transport • Destruction • Sequestration • Conjugation • Example - IAA
Concentration control • Self-inhibition • Interactions between IAA and C2H4 • Interactions between CK and GA • De-stabilizing concentrations
Measuring hormone concentrations • Bioassays • Grow specimens in a range of known concentrations • Generate dose response curve • Find value for unknown • Chromatography • Mass spectrometry • Antibody
Phenylalanine + gene PAL + Cinnamic acid aa Cinnamyl CoA Lignin + + gene Chalcone synthase Chalcone Phenolics and flavonoids, including some phytoalexins Control of phenolic synthesis Phenolics may act as 2o messengers + Ferulic acid Injury Pathogens +