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Tissue-distribution of secondary phenolic biosynthesis in developing primary leaves of Avena sativa L.

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Abstract

Primary leaves of oats (Avena sativa L.) have been used to study the integration of secondary phenolic metabolism into organ differentiation and development. In particular, the tissue-specific distribution of products and enzymes involved in their biosynthesis has been investigated. C-Glucosylflavones along with minor amounts of hydroxycinnamic-acid esters constitute the soluble phenolic compounds in these leaves. In addition, considerable amounts of insoluble products such as lignin and wall-bound ferulic-acid esters are formed. The tissue-specific activities of seven enzymes were determined in different stages of leaf growth. The rate-limiting enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis in this system, chalcone synthase, together with chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6) and the terminal enzymes of the vitexin and isovitexin branches of the pathway (a flavonoid O-methyltransferase and an isovitexin arabinosyltransferase) are located in the leaf mesophyll. Since the flavonoids accumulate predominantly (up to 70%) in both epidermal layers, an intercellular transport of products is postulated. In contrast to the flavonoid enzymes, L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.12), and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: caffeate 3-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.-), all involved in general phenylpropanoid metabolism, showed highest activities in the basal leaf region as well as in the epidermis and the vascular bundles. We suggest that these latter enzymes participate mainly in the biosynthesis of non-flavonoid phenolic products, such as lignin in the xylem tissue and wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acid-esters in epidermal, phloem, and sclerenchyma tissues.

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Abbreviations

CHI:

chalcone isomerase

CHS:

chalcone synthase

4CL:

4-coumarate: CoA ligase

CMT:

S-adenosyl-L-methionine:caffeate 3-O-methyltransferase

FMT:

S-adenosyl-L-methionine:vitexin 2″-O-rhamnoside 7-O-methyltransferase

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

IAT:

uridine 5′-diphosphate L-arabinose:isovitexin 2″-O-arabinosyltransferase

PAL:

L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

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  1. W. Knogge

    Present address: Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, D-5000, Köln 30, Federal Republic of Germany

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  1. Botanisches Institut der Universität zu Köln, Gyrhofstraße 15, D-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany

    W. Knogge & G. Weissenböck

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Knogge, W., Weissenböck, G. Tissue-distribution of secondary phenolic biosynthesis in developing primary leaves of Avena sativa L.. Planta 167, 196–205 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391415

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