Abstract
Under natural conditions plants are generally subjected to complex scenarios of combined or sequential environmental stresses. Among the various components of plant biochemistry modulated by abiotic variables, a pivotal role is played by antioxidant systems, including specialized metabolites and their interaction with central pathways. To help address this knowledge gap, a comparative analysis of metabolic changes in leaf tissues of the alkaloid accumulating plant Psychotria brachyceras Müll Arg. under individual, sequential, and combined stress conditions was carried out. Osmotic and heat stresses were evaluated. Protective systems (accumulation of the major antioxidant alkaloid brachycerine, proline, carotenoids, total soluble protein, and activity of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were measured in conjunction with stress indicators (total chlorophyll, ChA/ChB ratio, lipid peroxidation, H2O2 content and electrolyte leakage). Metabolic responses had a complex profile in sequential and combined stresses compared to single ones, being also modified over time. Different stress application schemes affected alkaloid accumulation in distinct ways, exhibiting similar profile to proline and carotenoids, constituting a complementary triad of antioxidants. These complementary non-enzymatic antioxidant systems appeared to be essential for mitigating stress damage and re-establishing cellular homeostasis. The data herein provides clues that may aid the development of a key component framework of stress responses and their appropriate balance to modulate tolerance and yield of target specialized metabolites.
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Data Availability Statement
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
Abbreviations
- MIA:
-
Monoterpene indole alkaloids
- TIA:
-
Terpene indole alkaloids
- ROS:
-
Reactive oxygen species
- MS:
-
Culture medium (Murashige and Skoog culture medium)
- PEG:
-
Polyethylene glycol 6000
- HPLC:
-
High performance liquid chromatography
- UV–Vis:
-
Ultraviolet–visible
- DW:
-
Dry weight
- ChA:
-
Chlorophyll A
- ChB:
-
Chlorophyll B
- TCA:
-
Trichloroacetic acid
- TBA:
-
Thiobarbituric acid
- FW:
-
Fresh weight
- TSP:
-
Total soluble proteins
- CPE:
-
Crude protein extract
- APX:
-
Ascorbate peroxidase
- SOD:
-
Superoxide dismutase
- NBT:
-
Nitro blue tetrazolium
- EL%:
-
Relative electrolyte leakage
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES—Finance code 001), the Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS—Project 19/2551-0001709-0), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq—Project 310775/2021-3) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
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De Palma, N., Yendo, A.C.A., Vilasboa, J. et al. Biochemical responses in leaf tissues of alkaloid producing Psychotria brachyceras under multiple stresses. J Plant Res 136, 397–412 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-023-01441-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-023-01441-z