Journal of Chemical Ecology

, Volume 35, Issue 12, pp 1471–1477 | Cite as

Selective trans-Cinnamic Acid Uptake Impairs [Ca2+]cyt Homeostasis and Growth in Cucumis sativus L.

  • Jingquan Yu
  • Yao Sun
  • Yun Zhang
  • Ju Ding
  • Xiaojian Xia
  • Chunlan Xiao
  • Kai Shi
  • Yanhong Zhou
Article
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Revised:
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Abstract

To obtain insight into interspecies interactions mediated by allelochemicals, the response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Jinyan No.4) and figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché) seedlings to trans-cinnamic acid (CA) (1) was investigated. While trans-CA is an autotoxin in cucumber root exudates, figleaf gourd is resistant to it. Cucumber, however, had a high rate of trans-CA uptake by the roots, leading to reduced root growth. The trans-CA treatment also resulted in an intracellular release of Ca2+ from the vacuole to the cytoplasm, and, thus, an increased [Ca2+]cyt level accompanied by gradual loss of cell viability in cucumber roots. Taken together, these results suggest that [Ca2+]cyt homeostatic disturbance is one of the primary triggers for trans-CA phytotoxicity in cucumber.

Keywords

Allelopathy Cucumis sativus Cucurbitaceae Cucurbit Cucumber Signalling Autotoxicity Cinnamic acid Detoxification 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the assistance of Dr. Hong J and Dr. Chen J in confocal and transmission electron microscopy. We also thank Dr. Margot P and Dr. Ye H for critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB119000) and National Key Technology R&D Program of China (2008BADA6B02).

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jingquan Yu
    • 1
    • 2
  • Yao Sun
    • 1
  • Yun Zhang
    • 1
  • Ju Ding
    • 1
  • Xiaojian Xia
    • 1
  • Chunlan Xiao
    • 1
  • Kai Shi
    • 1
  • Yanhong Zhou
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of HorticultureHuajiachi Campus, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouPeople’s Republic of China
  2. 2.Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plants Growth, Development and BiotechnologyAgricultural Ministry of ChinaHangzhouPeople’s Republic of China

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