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Effect of feeding precursors on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and coumarin accumulation in leaves of Matricaria chamomilla L.

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Abstract

Four-week-old chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) plants were exposed for 72 h to 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM phenylalanine (Phe) or tyrosine (Tyr). Phe at all concentrations significantly increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity (by 30, 76 and 90%, respectively) as well as accumulation of coumarin-related compounds (herniarin and its precursors (Z)- and (E)-2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxycinnamic acids). Free Phe content increased significantly at the highest dose tested. Lower Tyr concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mM) significantly increased PAL activity and increased free Tyr content, however free Phe content decreased. This indicated that Tyr-mediated stimulation of PAL is coupled to Phe consumption. Notwithstanding, Tyr had no effect on coumarin accumulation. Therefore we speculate that in chamomile a regulation/signalling mechanism could be operating in the pathway leading to coumarin synthesis. The malondialdehyde accumulation, an usual marker of stress in plants, was not significantly changed by amino acid supplements, suggesting that membrane damage is not the signal causing coumarin accumulation. In parallel experiment we observed that neither lower (0.25 × full strength), nor higher (3 × full strength) nitrogen concentration of nutrient solution compared to normal (1 × full strength, 205 mg N l-1) solution used for Phe/Tyr supply affected herniarin and GMCAs accumulation. This indicates that Phe had stimulatory effect on PAL activity and coumarin metabolism.

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Abbreviations

DW:

Dry weight

FW:

Fresh weight

GMCAs:

(Z)- and (E)-2-ß-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxycinnamic acids

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

Phe:

Phenylalanine

t-CA:

trans-Cinnamic acid

Tyr:

Tyrosine

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Slovak Grant Agency VEGA (1/3260/06). The authors thank Prof. Dianne Fahselt (University of Western Ontario, Canada) for constructive comments on the manuscript. Mrs. Anna Michalčová and Mrs. Margita Buzinkaiová are also acknowledged for their excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Institute of Biology & Ecology, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 041 67, Košice, Slovak Republic

    Jozef Kováčik, Miroslav Repčák & Martin Bačkor

  2. Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry & Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Šafárik University, Tr. SNP 1, 040 66, Košice, Slovak Republic

    Ivan Kron

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  1. Jozef Kováčik
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  2. Ivan Kron
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  3. Miroslav Repčák
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  4. Martin Bačkor
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Correspondence to Jozef Kováčik.

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Kováčik, J., Kron, I., Repčák, M. et al. Effect of feeding precursors on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and coumarin accumulation in leaves of Matricaria chamomilla L.. Plant Growth Regul 52, 9–15 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-007-9172-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-007-9172-4

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