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Tissue distribution of cholinesterases and anticholinesterases in native and transgenic tomato plants

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Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase, a major component of the central and peripheral nervous systems, is ubiquitous among multicellular animals, where its main function is to terminate synaptic transmission by hydrolyzing the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. However, previous reports describe cholinesterase activities in several plant species and we present data for its presence in tomato plants. Ectopic expression of a recombinant form of the human enzyme and the expression pattern of the transgene and the accumulation of its product in transgenic tomato plants are described. Levels of acetylcholinesterase activity in different tissues are closely effected by and can be separated from α-tomatine, an anticholinesterase steroidal glycoalkaloid. The recombinant enzyme can also be separated from the endogenous cholinesterase activity by its subcellular localization and distinct biochemical properties. Our results provide evidence for the co-existence in tomato plants of both acetylcholinesterase activity and a steroidal glycoalkaloid with anticholinesterase activity and suggest spatial mutual exclusivity of these antagonistic activities. Potential functions, including roles in plant-pathogen interactions are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences and Arizona Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, USA

    Samuel Fletcher, Brian Geyer & Tsafrir Mor

  2. Harrington Department of Bioengineering and Arizona Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Amy Smith & Lokesh Joshi

  3. The Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

    Tama Evron & Hermona Soreq

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Fletcher, S., Geyer, B., Smith, A. et al. Tissue distribution of cholinesterases and anticholinesterases in native and transgenic tomato plants. Plant Mol Biol 55, 33–43 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-004-0394-9

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